Two autopsy cases associated with a latent superficial carcinoma of esophagus

To clarify the histogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus, 307 esophagus resected from autopsied cases have been thoroughly examined. These specimens were dyed with Lugol solution and entirely blocked to study subserial sections. Among these specimens, two subclinically superficial squamous cell carcinomas were found. First case uncovered was that of a woman who had died of a carcinoma of uterus. Microscopic examination revealed a small carcinoma in situ, located in the cervical portion of the esophagus, though this lesion showed no associated dysplasia. The other case was that of an old man who had died of a massive hemorrhage from a gastric ulcer, associated with carcinomas of the lip, liver, and prostate. The esophageal lesion was an intramucosal carcinoma located in the mid esophagus that was encountered with moderate dysplasia. These examples are not only quite rare as being multiple primary carcinomas but they also suggest two possible types of cancer development of the esophagus: one that progresses from normal mucosa, and the other from dysplastic mucosa.