Squamous dysplasia--the precursor lesion for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 540 - 552
• Main Authors: Taylor, Philip R, Abnet, Christian C, Dawsey, Sanford M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-04-2013
• Subjects: Adult; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - epidemiology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - etiology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; China - epidemiology; Disease Progression; Esophageal Neoplasms - epidemiology; Esophageal Neoplasms - etiology; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Esophagus - pathology; Humans; Hyperplasia - epidemiology; Hyperplasia - etiology; Hyperplasia - pathology; Precancerous Conditions - epidemiology; Precancerous Conditions - etiology; Precancerous Conditions - pathology; Risk Factors; China
• ISSN: 1055-9965; 1538-7755; 1538-7755
• DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-12-1347

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for 80% of all esophageal cancers worldwide, and esophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD) is the only histopathology that predicts the development of ESCC. The prevalence of ESD parallels rates of invasive ESCC and is typically found in 25% or more of adults above the age of 35 years in populations in north central China, where risk for ESCC is among the highest in the world. Results of chemoprevention and early detection studies to prevent progression of ESD suggest that these approaches, coupled with emerging endoscopic therapies, offer promise for the prevention of esophageal cancer mortality in high-risk populations. Future research on ESD and ESCC should focus on finding additional modifiable risk factors and on identifying biomarkers to incorporate into early detection strategies.