In the United States the disease presents late with symptoms of weight loss and swallowing difficulty. Squamous Cell Carcinoma metastasizes early as there is no serosal layer of tissue surrounding the esophageal body. The tumor metastasizes by direct extension to the mediastinal structures, to the liver, lung, and adrenal glands as well as draining lymph nodes. Diagnosis is made by single and double contrast barium studies with either follow up endoscopic biopsy or CT for tumor staging. Barium studies show irregular asymmetric luminal filling defects with abrupt step offs and abnormal peristalsis of the esophageal body.
Many times there is associated stricture and ulceration.
To view a gross specimen, click here . To view early invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, click here . To view a histological specimen of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, click here . Use the browser's back button to return to the radiology tutorial.