Small-cell carcinoma of the oesophagus (SCCO) is a rare and aggressive malignant tumour associated with a poor prognosis. Between 1994 and 2002, three patients with SCCO were treated in our institution, representing 1.96% (3 out of 153) of all oesophageal malignancies seen during this period. All of these patients had limited-stage SCCO at initial diagnosis and were treated by chemotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide) with concomitant radiotherapy. An initial complete response of the primary lesion was observed in all cases and a persistent complete remission in two of the cases. Chemo-radiotherapy should be considered as a valuable treatment alternative to surgery for limited-stage small-cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.