Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a relatively uncommon form of esophageal cancer.

It is also known as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, abbreviated esophageal SCC.

Squamous cell carcinoma, also squamous carcinoma, is discussed in general terms in the squamous cell carcinoma article.

General

• Like squamous cell carcinoma elsewhere.

Risk factors:

• Alcohol consumption.
• Tobacco use.
• Food with nitrosamines.
• Burning-hot beverages.

Note:

• Reflux is not a risk factor for esophageal SCC.
  • It is a risk factor indirectly for esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Microscopic

See Squamous carcinoma.

Note:

• Just to make things confusing, the Staging of early SCC differs from that of early adenocarcinoma!

DDx:

• Squamous dysplasia of the esophagus.

Images

• Carcinoma in situ (nih.gov).
• Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (nih.gov).

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ESOPHAGUS, BIOPSY:
- INVASIVE SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA, KERATINIZING, MODERATELY DIFFERENTIATED.

COMMENT:
Benign squamous epithelium at least partially overlies the invasive squamous 
cell carcinoma; this may mask the true extent of the lesion on endoscopy.

Micro

The sections show a squamous mucosa with focal moderate atypia of the squamous cells, keratinization and easily identified mitotic figures. The atypical cells are partially covered by benign squamous cells, and there is a very sharp transition between the cells with atypia and those without. The atypical squamous cells extend into the subepithelial tissue in irregularly shaped nests and cords. A small amount of benign muscle is present.

See also

• Esophagus.
• Squamous cell carcinoma.