OESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA
• 2 common types:
1. Adenocarcinoma
2. Squamous cell carcinoma
(glandular)
https://www.pathologystudent.com/the-two-common-types-of-esophageal-carcinoma/
Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma usually arises in Barrett esophagus.
• Risks include
•
•
•
•
having documented dysplasia within Barrett’s (well, obviously!),
smoking,
obesity, and
prior radiation therapy.
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma occurs
• most frequently in Caucasians, and
• much more common in men.
• It accounts for about half of all esophageal carcinomas (the other half being squamous cell carcinomas).
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma usually occurs in the distal third of the esophagus (not a surprise, since
that’s where Barrett’s is).
• It is a typical adenocarcinoma, as you can see in the image above, with abortive gland formation in most
cases (a few cases have signet-ring morphology or small, poorly-differentiated cells).
• Usually, by the time symptoms are noticed, the tumor has spread to nearby lymphatics and is
already on its way to distant sites.
• Overall survival is accordingly dismal (less than 25% of patients survive past 5 years).