[Pathomorphologic characteristics of esophageal biopsies among inhabitants of an endemic focus of cancer of the esophagus].

The data on the frequency and topography of pathological processes in esophageal mucosa in residents of a focus endemic for esophageal cancer are presented on the basis of 1017 esophageal biopsies analysed in the Guriev regional oncological hospital in 1977-1982. Three groups of pathology were distinguished: esophagites (37.3 +/- 1.5%), precancer (21.6 +/- 1.3%), and cancer (41.1 +/- 1.5%). Chronic forms of esophagites were predominant (83.1%). In the precancer group, leukoplakias comprised 62.3%. Invasive forms were observed in 92.6% of all cases of esophageal cancer. Chronic esophagites represent an unfavourable background for the development of precancer changes and cancer.