Downloads: 7
Original Research | Pathology | Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 806 - 814 | India
Bridging Endoscopic Appearance and Histopathological Diagnosis in Esophageal Lesions
Abstract: Background: Esophageal carcinoma (EC) is an aggressive malignancy associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, largely due to delayed diagnosis and advanced stage presentation. Understanding regional clinicopathological characteristics and associated risk factors is essential for improving early detection and patient outcomes. Aim: To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological characteristics of esophageal lesions and assess clinicopathological correlations in patients with suspected esophageal carcinoma. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 96 patients with endoscopically suspected esophageal carcinoma who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy at a tertiary care centre in South India. Demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological parameters were analysed, and clinicopathological correlations were assessed using the Chi-square test. Results: The mean age of the study population was 55.29 ± 14.31 years, with the highest frequency observed in the 61-70-year age group. Males constituted 53.1% of cases, and 58.3% were from rural areas. Dysphagia was the predominant presenting symptom (99.0%), followed by weight loss (72.9%) and loss of appetite (71.9%). Exposure to potential risk factors was common, including hot beverage consumption (97.9%), spicy food intake (59.4%), obesity (51.0%), smoking (38.5%), alcohol consumption (37.5%), gutka use (31.3%), and paan chewing (25.0%). The lower esophagus was the most frequently involved site (37.5%). Endoscopically, altered mucosa (55.2%) and ulcerated mucosa (22.9%) were the most common findings, while luminal narrowing was observed in 81.3% of cases. Histopathological examination revealed malignant lesions in 70.8% of cases, predominantly squamous cell carcinoma (60.4%) and adenocarcinoma (10.4%), with proliferative endoscopic growth patterns showing a significant association with malignancy (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant malignancy, with dysphagia and luminal narrowing representing the most frequent clinical and endoscopic manifestations. The significant association between proliferative endoscopic growth patterns and malignant histology highlights the importance of endoscopic evaluation and histopathological confirmation for early diagnosis and optimal patient management.
Keywords: Esophageal lesions, Esophageal carcinoma, Esophageal Squamous cell carcinoma, Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, Endoscopic growth patterns, Histopathological diagnosis, Dysphagia, Clinicopathological correlation
How to Cite?: Gundlapalli Sravani, Rajarikam Nagarjuna Chary, Naval Kishore Bajaj, "Bridging Endoscopic Appearance and Histopathological Diagnosis in Esophageal Lesions", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 806-814, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26616010945, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26616010945