Superficial oesophageal carcinoma: an oesophageal counterpart of early gastric cancer.

The clinicopathological features of 10 cases of superficial oesophageal carcinoma without lymph node metastasis are reported. Superficial oesophageal carcinoma, an uncommon form of oesophageal cancer, is defined as invasive squamous cell carcinoma confined to the mucosa and submucosa. It includes plaque-like, erosive, papillary and occult types but is not associated with the usual macroscopic features of advanced oesophageal cancer. The main presenting symptom of dysphagia and oesophagitis is a frequently quoted endoscopic diagnosis. Superficial oesophageal carcinoma may be preceded by dysplastic and in situ carcinomatous changes and is probable oesophageal counterpart to early gastric cancer.