Extensive spread of a squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the esophagus: an unusual case

A case of extensive squamous cell carcinoma in situ along the esophageal height in a 58-yr-old female is presented. After subtotal esophagectomy, the course was favorable 11 months later. The pathological study of the specimen showed that the tumor was confined to the epithelium. The lesion was located diffusely along the entire esophageal height and one-third of its circumference. Neither foci of dysplasia or inflammatory erosions nor metastatic nodes were observed. Problems pertaining to the terminology, histopathological interpretation, pathogenesis, and management of such unusual lesion are reviewed. The necessity of large radical resection of the esophagus was validated upon histological confirmation that the resected stump is cancer free.