Superficial oesophageal carcinoma: an oesophageal counterpart of early gastric cancer

Abstract

The clinicopathological features of 10 [human] cases of superficial esophageal carcinoma without lymph node metastasis are reported. Superficial esophageal carcinoma, an uncommon form of esophageal cancer, is defined as invasive squamous cell carcinoma confined to the mucosa and submucosa. It includes plaque-like, erosive, papillary and occult types but is not associated with the usual macroscopic features of advanced esophageal cancer. The main presenting symptom is dysphagia and esophagitis is a frequently quoted endoscopic diagnosis. Superficial esophageal carcinoma may be preceded by dysplastic and in situ carcinomatous changes and is a probable esophageal counterpart to early gastric cancer.