Growth of squamous cell esophageal carcinoma observed by serial esophagographies.

Early superficial-type squamous cell esophageal carcinoma is seldom detected by esophagography. Review of the records at the Aichi Cancer Center Hospital revealed seven cases in which serial esophagograms were available to observe the growth pattern and speed of squamous cell esophageal carcinoma from its early superficial to advanced invasive stages. The esophageal carcinomas were found to grow very rapidly longitudinally as well as horizontally compared to gastric carcinomas. The longitudinal growth of the lesion appears to be constant and can be expressed as a linear function of time. Importance of early detection should be stressed in order to improve the poor cure rate of this fast-growing tumor.