Analysis of macroscopic appearance and p53 expression in superficial esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the re lationship between macroscopic appearance of superficial esophageal carcino ma, with particular attention to the horizontal and vertical extent of tumo r growth, clinicopathologic findings and p53 expression. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-seven patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma we re divided into three groups: 1) group A, patients with protruding or disti nct depressed lesions (n = 28); 2) group B, patients with superficial and f lat lesions greater than or equal to 5cm in length (n = 45); and, group C, patients with superficial and flat lesions (5cm in length (n = 14). Tumors were examined immunohistochemically for p53 expression. RESULTS: The incidence of submucosal invasion, lymph node metastasis and ly mphatic invasion was significantly higher in group A than in groups B and C . The rate of p53 expression was significantly lower in group B than in the other two groups. The prognosis in groups B and C was better than that in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Vertical extent was more strongly associated with tumor depth, lymph node metastasis and prognosis than was horizontal extent, although p 53 overexpression was related to both the vertical and horizontal extent of tumors. Analysis of the macroscopic appearance of superficial esophageal c arcinoma is useful in choosing treatment strategies.