[Liquid-based cytology for esophageal carcinoma screening]

Cytologic screening of asymptomatic high risk individuals can detect curable esophageal carcinomas and has been used for several decades. However, the sensitivity of such screening is relatively low, which limits its wide use and development. This study was to investigate the utility of liquid-based cytology in esophageal carcinoma screening.

A mass screening of esophageal carcinoma was performed for asymptomatic residents in Yaocun County, Linzhou City, Henan Province, China. Esophageal biopsy samples were put into a liquid buffer for cytologic diagnosis and subsequent endoscopic biopsies were made on all subjects. Cytologic categories were adapted from criteria of the Bethesda system (TBS). RESULTS of liquid-based cytology were compared with those from endoscopic biopsy. The sensitivity and the specificity of liquid-based cytology were evaluated.

Carcinomas in situ and carcinomas were identified in 17 (2.4%) of 710 subjects. Measured by ASC/AGC (atypical squamous cells or atypical glandular cells) as the detection threshold, the sensitivity and the specificity of liquid-based cytology were 76.5% and 76.0%, respectively.

In a hospital with a high level of conventional cytology, liquid-based technique can be used widely since the work load of reading slides may greatly decrease, although this technique do not significantly improve the sensitivity of screening.