Superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. A study of seven cases in Memphis, Tennessee.

Superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, defined as carcinoma with invasion limited to the mucosa or submucosa regardless of the presence of lymph node metastasis, is being increasingly recognized. We found 7 cases (13%) of this entity among 54 cases of esophageal squamous cancer resected between 1981 and 1984 in Memphis, Tennessee. Three patients presented with dysphagia, 1 with odynophagia, and 3 with nonesophageal symptoms. Barium esophagram demonstrated the tumor in 2 cases. Endoscopically, four lesions were identified as tumor and three were attributed to inflammation. Two tumors were nodules, three were plaques, one was polypoid, and one was grossly inapparent. Two patients died without evidence of disease. One patient with lymph node metastasis died of disease at 17 mo. Four patients have survived from 16 to 52 mo after resection without evidence of disease. Timely diagnosis of this early form of esophageal neoplasia provides the opportunity for curative resection.