Abstract
Few reports discuss the growth progress of superficial carcinomas of the esophagus and numerous questions remain, thus we evaluated the carcinoma growth progression in 53 cases of submucosal carcinomas of the esophagus. Regarding growth form and speed, we examined 11 cases with an inspection history within the past two years. The growth form could be roughly classified into 3 types: patterns A, B (B-1, B-2, B-3), and C. The 53 cases of submucosal carcinomas of the esophagus were classified into these 3 types; most patterns were B-2 and, then pattern A. As for growth speed, it was surmised that patterns A and C were fast, and pattern B-1 was the slowest, and patterns B-2 and B-3 in the middle. In connection with histological type, there were many cases from which poorly differentiated type of squamous cell carcinoma permeates deeply into submucosal layer in pattern A. Pattern B was also to have a high rate of poorly to moderately differentiated type of squamous cell carcinoma, and it participates in growth progression into the submucosal layer.
