Presentation
Dysphagia and recent weight loss.
Patient Data
Asymmetrical luminal narrowing and marginal irregularity are seen in the distal third of the esophagus, suggesting tumoral infiltration.
The distal third esophagus, measuring about 8 cm in length, has asymmetrically increased wall thickness due to tumoral infiltration that causes luminal narrowing. There is no sign of local invasion into the adjacent structures.
A few prominent lymph nodes are also seen in the vicinity of the diseased segment.
The patient underwent an endoscopy and biopsy, and histopathology evaluation confirmed distal esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Case Discussion
Esophageal adenocarcinomas account for about 5-20% of esophageal cancers worldwide and arise from mucosal/submucosal glands, heterotopic gastric mucosa, or columnar-lined epithelium. More than 90% of the esophageal adenocarcinomas are related to Barrett esophagus, so they tend to occur at the distal third of the esophagus and gastro-esophageal junction.