[Endoscopic brushing cytology of esophageal lesions]

Endoscopic esophageal biopsy and brushing cytology were performed simultaneously in 121 cases, 25 of which were diagnosed as esophageal cancer by histologic examination of surgically resected material or at autopsy. Correct diagnosis was made in 88% of the cancer cases by endoscopic biopsy, and the same diagnostic rate was obtained by brushing cytology. Combination of the two methods revealed the cancer in 96% of the cases. There were no cases diagnosed as false-positive or false-negative by cytology. Three cancer cases were diagnosed as suspicious by cytology. Definite diagnosis was not made because of paucity of cells on the slide or of cellular atypism. For the improvement of accuracy in cytologic diagnosis it is important to sample adequate amount of cells, and in situ carcinoma cells should be differentiated from benign atypical cells in esophagitis.