[Mucosal carcinoma of the esophagus--the pathological point of view by subclassification of depth of invasion].

We studied 58 cases of mucosal carcinoma of the esophagus and 21 cases of submucosal carcinoma to evaluate the macroscopic features and histological risk factors (lymphatic and venous permeations and lymph node metastasis) by subclassification of depth of invasion (m1, m2, m3, sm1, sm2, sm3). Carcinoma of m1 and m2 invasion revealed neither venous permeation nor lymph node metastasis. One case of m2 carcinoma (5%) showed lymphatic permeation, 2 cases of m3 carcinomas (20%) showed lymphatic permeation and 3 cases (27%) had lymph node metastasis. Otherwise "sm" carcinoma revealed a high percentage of lymphatic permeation and lymph node metastasis. Also venous permeation were seen in some cases of "sm" carcinoma. The macroscopic appearance of all mucosal carcinomas was 0-II type and most of the 0-iib type carcinomas were "m1" carcinoma. Clinicopathologically it is useful to subclassify mucosal carcinoma as m1, m2, m3, and "m1" and "m2" carcinomas are indications for endoscopic mucosal resection.