Freezing of the esophagus: histological changes and immunological response.

Experimental freezing of the esophagus was accomplished in canines. The temperature used was from -10 degrees C. to -20 degrees C., for from two to ten minutes. Histological studies revealed cryonecrosis, limited to the cells immediately in contact with the probe surface, edema and cryothrombosis, as the most outstanding and significant histological lesions. Preliminary evaluation of the effects of in situ freezing of the esophagus is suggestive of the development of a cellular response. This response appeared to be directed to antigens present in extracts of esophageal mucosa and muscularis. Repeated in situ freezing of the esophagus resulted in the development of an increased (i.e., anamnestic), immunologic response to mucosa and muscularis antigens. The results of this experiment suggest the use of freezing techniques as an alternative to total esophageal resection for early carcinoma of the esophagus. The 98% cure rate of freezing techniques in the squamous cell carcinoma of the skin encourages us to emphasize the possibility of using this technique with a similar degree of success in early carcinoma of the esophagus.