Introduction
Tumours of the oesophagus are mostly adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This topic covers their risk factors, location, gross forms, histology and clinical picture.
Main types
The majority of oesophageal tumours are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest type worldwide and most often arises in the middle third; adenocarcinoma arises from Barrett mucosa in the distal third and dominates in Western countries (GERD, obesity).
Malignant tumours of the oesophagus: gross and histology
Gross
The tumour develops in the areas of lower and middle physiological oesophageal narrowing.
- Ulcerative → looks like a necrotic ulcer
- Polypus-papillary → stenosis of the oesophagus
- Scirrhous → narrowing of the lumen due to infiltration
- Nodular → seen in adenocarcinoma
Microscopy
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common; it can be well differentiated or moderately differentiated. Other histological types include:
- Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
- Small cell carcinoma
- Malignant melanoma
- Undifferentiated carcinoma
- Carcinosarcoma