Esophageal cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide (410,000 new cases annually)(1). Asian, Middle Eastern, and East African countries have a markedly higher incidence of esophageal cancer than other areas. In the United States, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction has progressively increased to approximately 70% of all esop...

BACKGROUND The Wilms' tumor gene WT1 is overexpressed in various kinds of solid cancers. However, it remains unclear whether WT1 is expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression of the WT1 gene was examined by real-time RT-PCR in 12 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and by immunohistochemistry in 9 of these 12 and another 29. RESULTS Real-time RT-...

AIM To investigate the putative role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China. METHODS Twenty-three esophageal squamous cell carcinoma samples and the distal normal epithelium from Shanxi Province, and 25 more esophageal squamous cell carcinoma samples from Anyang city, two areas with a high incidence of esophageal cancer in ...

Particularly interesting new cysteine-histidine rich protein (PINCH), as a newly discovered protein of LIM family members, may play a role in signal transduction of integrin and growth factor, and involved in the incidence and development of tumors. PINCH protein is overexpressed in tumor-associated stroma of several types of tumors. However, there is no study of the PINCH in esophageal cancer,...

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the value of minimally invasive esophagectomy (combined thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in elderly patients (≥70 years). From January 2009 to December 2014, 58 consecutive patients aged older than 70 years with clinical stage stage I or II esophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent mini...

Esophageal cancer incidence rates have been increasing over the past years and survival remain low. According to Global Cancer Observatory, 3.1% of new cases consists esophageal 5.5% deaths was due cancer. Histologic classification comprises either squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or Adenocarcinoma. Other types are reported be uncommon. We present a case 33-year old male admitted progressive dysph...

The risk of the future development of primary esophageal cancer after endoscopic esophageal mucosal resection of esophageal cancer is not known; hence, there are no established guidelines for follow-up surveillance programs. Simultaneous occurrence of multiple cancers associated with esophageal cancer is common among heavy drinkers who have the inactive form of aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) ...

Congenital broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) is a rare anomaly usually detected in adulthood. In one of the latest reviews of this anomaly, no more than 150 cases were found in the world literature. We report our experience with a 49 year old male patient referring with a classic presentation of chronic cough and choking episodes upon liquid intake. Broncho-esophageal fistula was confirmed b...

BACKGROUND Barrett's esophagus metaplasia is the key precursor lesion of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to find a subset of markers that may allow the identification of patients at risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma, and to determine genes differentially expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS Laser capture microdissection technique was applied to procur...

Background & Aims Aberrations in the esophageal proliferation-differentiation gradient are histologic hallmarks in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and gastroesophageal reflux disease. A reliable protocol to grow 3-dimensional (3D) esophageal organoids is needed to study esophageal epithelial homeostasis under physiological and pathologic conditions. Methods We modified keratinocyte-serum free ...