OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and define the diagnostic aspects of intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus and to show the trend in its natural history. DESIGN: Analysis of records of more than 31000 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies in a secondary referral centre. SETTING: Gastroenterology unit, Italy. SUBJECTS: 23 men and 2 women with endoscopic and histological diagnoses of intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. RESULTS: The incidence was 0.8/1000 patients/year. There was a coexisting oropharyngeal or laryngeal cancer in 17 patients. The endoscopic appearance was of a more or less well-defined hyperaemic area. Lesions progressed to infiltrating carcinoma in a mean of 18.3 months range 11-32). CONCLUSIONS: Intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma is rare in this population. Endoscopy and histology are essential for diagnosis and staging.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and define the diagnostic aspects of intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus and to show the trend in its natural history. DESIGN: Analysis of records of more than 31000 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies in a secondary referral centre. SETTING: Gastroenterology unit, Italy. SUBJECTS: 23 men and 2 women with endoscopic and histological diagnoses of intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. RESULTS: The incidence was 0.8/1000 patients/year. There was a coexisting oropharyngeal or laryngeal cancer in 17 patients. The endoscopic appearance was of a more or less well-defined hyperaemic area. Lesions progressed to infiltrating carcinoma in a mean of 18.3 months range 11-32). CONCLUSIONS:Intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma is rare in this population. Endoscopy and histology are essential for diagnosis and staging.