Abstract
Here, recent morphological findings and diagnosis of the depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by endoscopic examination was reviewed. The risks of lymph node metastasis of esophageal carcinoma depends, so its diagnosis is very important. Esophageal carcinoma bears a poor prognosis in general, and its standard radical surgery is extremely invasive and affects quality of life. However, if the cancer is detected in its early stage, endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection is possible, thus leading to a less invasive treatment preserving the esophagus. The depth of invasion is determined using the conventional endoscopic view. Its accuracy rate has improved with image enhancement endoscopy applying narrow band imaging, fine observation according to the subclassification of abnormal vessels on magnified endoscopic classification of the Japan Esophageal Society, and endoscopic ultrasonography and esophagography of the upper gastrointestinal series.
