The multicentric occurrence of squamous epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma in the esophagus.

BACKGROUND

The biologic significance of esophageal dysplasia has not yet been completely elucidated, especially regarding the process of multiple occurrences of squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

The multiplicity of dysplasia in 73 patients with solitary carcinoma of the esophagus (Group I) and 21 with multiple carcinomas (Group II) was compared in surgically resected specimens.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine second carcinomas were identified in 13 patients of Group II, and all were superficial. The incidences of five or more isolated dysplasias in cases without continuity to a carcinomatous lesion, was 6.8% and 66.7% in Groups I and II, respectively (P < 0.01). In a case with three or more carcinomas, the incidence increased to 84.6%. The coexistence of all grades of isolated dysplasias was observed in 10 patients (47.6%) in Group II but in only 6 patients (8.2%) in Group I (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that various degrees of evolving biologically related lesions, such as dysplasia and carcinoma, can occur multicentrically in the same esophagus.