CYTODIAGNOSIS OF INSITU AND EARLY CARCINOMA OF THE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (3) , 269-273
Abstract
Three cases of adenocarcinoma of the stomach, 2 in situ and 1 superficially invasive, and 1 of superficially invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus are presented to illustrate the problems encountered in the diagnosis of early lesions of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the contribution that cytodiagnosis can make. The symptomology and roentgenographic findings in these cases were largely nonspecific. While endoscopic biopsies were repeatedly negative in 3 of the 4 cases, endoscopic brushing cytology consistently indicated the presence of a malignancy. Surgery was finally performed on the basis of the cytologic findings, confirming the presence of early malignancy. The cytologic findings, with histologic correlations, are presented in an effort to define some specific criteria for the diagnosis of early malignancy of the upper GI tract.