Verrucous squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Five cases of verrucous carcinoma of the esophagus have been presented. This is a previously unreported location for this distinct morphologic variant of squamous cell carcinoma, which apparently may occur on any stratified squamous mucosa or modified skin. The tumor in the esophagus is morphologically similar to this tumor in other parts of the body. It is a slowly progressing infiltrating tumor which characteristically becomes large but rarely metastasizes. Early diagnosis of the lesion requires clinical suspicion of this growth, particularly in the presence of cardiospasm or esophageal diverticulum. Diagnosis is more likely when the pathologist is aware of the clinical nature of the lesion and when there is an adequate biopsy specimen to show the characteristic infiltrative growth pattern. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment of verrucous squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus should produce a better prognosis than that associated with the usual type of carcinoma of the esophagus.