Squamous neoplasia in the esophagus

Abstract

Context.—Squamous lesions of the esophagus encompass a spectrum of disorders ranging from reactive changes and benign papilloma to squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma, which may pose diagnostic challenges especially in superficial biopsies. Objective.—To provide a review on the typical features of squamous neoplasia in the esophagus, with an emphasis on the key diagnostic features as well as differential diagnosis from mimicking lesions. Data Sources.—Data sources include published peer-reviewed literature and personal experiences of the authors. Conclusions.—Accurate diagnosis of squamous neoplasia requires adherence to established diagnostic criteria, attention to subtle histologic features, and correlation with clinical and imaging findings. In difficult cases, multiple biopsies may be necessary to reach a definitive diagnosis.