Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of Esophagus Research Articles

Narrow Band Imaging Facilitates the Diagnosis of Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Narrow Band Imaging Facilitates the Diagnosis of Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Submucosal gland differentiation and implications in esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinomas.

Esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a heterogenous entity with multilineage differentiation. It lacks systematical analysis on submucosal gland differentiation (SGD) due to the histological diversity and low incidence of esophageal BSCC. This study aims to find the correlation of SGD and clinicopathological features. A total of 152 esophageal BSCCs were separated into three histological groups: pure, mixed, and borderline group. The clinicopathological features were compared between different groups. The prevalence of SGD was also compared between cases of different groups. A panel of antibodies were used to identify SGD. The pure group differed from the mixed and borderline groups in many aspects, lymph node metastasis (LNM), cancer embolus, perineural invasion, and advanced stage occurred less frequently in the pure group (P<0.01). The pure group had a better but statistically insignificant overall survival (P=0.097). The squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) component or focal squamous differentiation was present in metastatic lymph nodes in almost all mixed BSCCs (95.7%, 22/23) with LNM. The LNM rate of superficial (T1b) BSCCs (17.6%, 6/34) was comparable to that of superficial (T1b) SCCs (18.5%, 57/308). However, LNM exclusively occurred in superficial mixed (3/5) and borderline (3/10) BSCCs. The IHC results demonstrated a prevalence of SGD in pure group (77%, 43/56). SGD is considered to be a favorable factor, while the squamous differentiation or invasive SCC component is an adverse factor in esophageal BSCCs. Refinement of classification is a promising way to improve patient management.

Clinicopathological features and progression of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma

Clinicopathological features and progression of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma

A comparative analysis of clinicopathological factors and survival between esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma and conventional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

IntroductionRecently, the number of diagnosed esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (EBSCC) has gradually increased. However, available data on EBSCC are limited to date. MethodsA total of 165 EBSCC (Cohort 1) and 515 conventional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) (Cohort 2) were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsIn Cohort 1, 70 cases only had invasive EBSCC component (42.4%, defined as Group 1), 73 cases had concomitant invasive ESCC component (44.2%, Group 2), and 22 had concomitant invasive poor-differentiated component (13.3%, Group 3). Lymph node metastasis rates of Group 3, Group 2 and Group 1 were ranked from high to low (P = 0.044). There were higher patient age (P = 0.047), smaller tumor size (P = 0.009), more nerve invasion (P < 0.001), and lower pTNM stage (P < 0.001) in EBSCC (Cohort 1), compared with ESCC (Cohort 2). In Cohort 1 and Cohort 2, pTNM stage was an independent prognostic factor for both DFS and OS. No significant survival difference was found between EBSCC (Cohort 1) and ESCC (Cohort 2) in pIA-B stage, pIIA-B stage, pIIIA-B stage and pIVA-B stage (P > 0.05). ConclusionOur analysis of the largest EBSCC series from a single institution to date with conventional ESCC demonstrated that EBSCC carried a similar prognosis with ESCC in pIA-B stage, pIIA-B stage, pIIIA-B stage and pIVA-B stage. And pure EBSCC, didn't have poorer survival than mixed EBSCC with concomitant ESCC or other components. Our findings may be valuable in the better understanding of EBSCC's biological behaviors, and the related molecular mechanism is needed to be explored in the future.

Integrated molecular characterization of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma: a subtype with distinct RNA expression pattern and immune characteristics, but no specific genetic mutations.

Esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (bSCC) is a subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with a different behavior and poor prognosis. Exploring bSCC's molecular characteristics and treatment strategies are of great clinical significance. We performed multi-omics analysis of paired bSCC and common SCC (cSCC) using whole exome sequencing and a NanoString nCounter gene expression panel. Immunohistochemistry was used for verification of candidate biomarkers. Different treatment response was analyzed on both patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment and late-stage patients. The common genetically-clonal origin of bSCC and cSCC was confirmed. No significant differences between their genetic alterations or mutation spectra were observed. Mutation signature 15 (associated with defective DNA damage repair) was less prominent, and tumor mutational burden (TMB) was lower in bSCC. bSCC with an RNA expression pattern resembling cSCC had a better survival than other bSCCs. Moreover, bSCC showed significant upregulation of expression of genes associated with angiogenesis response, basement membranes, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and downregulation of KRT14 (squamous differentiation) and CCL21 (associated with immune response). Immunohistochemistry for SFRP1 was shown to be highly sensitive and specific for bSCC diagnosis (p < 0.001). In addition, bSCC receiving neoadjuvant immuno-chemotherapy had a worse pathological response than bSCC receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (but without statistical significance), even in bSCC positive for PD-L1. Our results demonstrated the molecular characteristics of esophageal bSCC as a subtype with a distinct RNA expression pattern and immune characteristics, but no specific genetic mutations. We provided a useful biomarker, SFRP1, for diagnosis. After outcome analysis for six bSCCs with neoadjuvant immunotherapy treatment and four late-stage bSCCs with immunotherapy, we found that immunotherapy may not be an effective treatment option for most bSCCs. This may also provide a clue for the same subtypes of lung and head and neck cancer. Our study highlighted the heterogeneity among bSCC patients, and might explain the conflicting results of bSCC outcomes in existing studies. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

435. A DIAGNOSTIC PITFALL; SMALL CELL CARCINOMA-LIKE FEATURES IN BASALOID SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS

Abstract Esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma may resemble small cell carcinoma biopsy specimens and cause difficulties in pathology diagnosis. We aimed to explore the pathological features of basaloid squamous cell carcinomas in biopsy specimens that mimic small cell carcinoma and to clarify their diagnostic and prognostic features. This study will contribute to draw attention to an important pitfall in pathology diagnosis in endoscopic biopsy specimens of the esophagus. Thirty biopsy specimens of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed and compared with 13 matched surgical specimens. A small cell carcinoma-like feature was defined as, when at least one of the three following findings was observed: 1) diffuse growth pattern, 2) nuclear molding and 3) nuclear crush artifact. Immunohistochemistry of synaptophysin, chromogranin A, CD56 (neuroendocrine markers) and p16 were performed in all cases. Small cell carcinoma-like features, such as diffuse growth, nuclear molding, or nuclear crush artifact, were identified in 80% (24/30) of the biopsies and in 77% (10/13) of the surgery specimens, but in a proportionally much smaller area in the surgical specimens than in the biopsy samples. The presence of a small cell carcinoma-like feature had no impact on patients´ outcome. Immunohistochemically, synaptophysin and chromogranin A were consistently negative, while CD56 was expressed in 42% (10/24) basaloid squamous cell carcinomas with small cell carcinoma-like features. p16, a highly sensitive marker for small cell carcinoma, was also expressed in 8% (2/24). In conclusion, small cell carcinoma-like features are frequent and conspicuous in biopsies, which may probably be caused by exogenous factors such as friction and external pressure that occur in biopsy procedure and in the tumor environment. Small cell carcinoma-like features may lead to a misinterpretation of a true small cell carcinoma, if CD56 is an only neuroendocrine marker expressed. p16 expression may be also detected in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.

A diagnostic pitfall; Small cell carcinoma-like features in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma may resemble small cell carcinoma biopsy specimens and cause difficulties in pathology diagnosis. We aimed to clarify the clinicopathological significance of small cell carcinoma-like morphologies in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. Thirty biopsy specimens of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed and compared with 13 matched surgical specimens. Small cell carcinoma-like features, such as diffuse growth, nuclear molding, or nuclear crush artifact, were identified in 80% (24/30) of the biopsies and in 77% (10/13) of the surgery specimens, but in a proportionally much smaller area in the surgical specimens than in the biopsy samples. The presence of a small cell carcinoma-like feature had no impact on patients´ outcome. Immunohistochemically, synaptophysin and chromogranin A were consistently negative, while CD56 was expressed in 42% (10/24) of basaloid squamous cell carcinomas with small cell carcinoma-like features. p16, a highly sensitive marker for small cell carcinoma, was also expressed in 8% (2/24). p40 was expressed in all cases of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, small cell carcinoma-like features are frequent and conspicuous in biopsies, which are probably caused by exogenous factors such as friction and external pressure that occur in biopsy procedure and in the tumor environment. Small cell carcinoma-like features may lead to a misinterpretation of a true small cell carcinoma, if CD56 is the only neuroendocrine marker expressed. p16 expression may also be detected in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.

MRNA expression pattern study of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.

e16062 Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related death in China, and esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSC) is a rare variant (2.2%-11.3%) of SCC with highly aggressive behavior due to its propensity for vessel invasion and distant metastasis. Most reports stated that BSCs had poorer prognosis than conventional esophageal SCC. However, because of the histological morphologic similarity and lacking of diagnostic approaches, esophageal BSC can easily result in misdiagnosis as SCC. Methods: To deepen our understanding of esophageal BSC and seek for diagnostic biomarkers, we analyze the difference of mRNA expression between esophageal BSC and conventional SCC. Nanostring nCounter PanCancer Progression gene expression panel was used on different tumor components from 36 patients diagnosed with esophageal BSC component (Ba) coexisting with conventional SCC component (Co), who underwent esophagectomy at our Hospital (Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used for verification of candidate biomarkers sFRP1 concluded from mRNA expression analysis. The expression of sFRP1 was evaluated by H-score = % cells staining (0-100%) * intensity (1 to 3). Results: Among 770 RNAs analyzed in the study, 22.9% (176/770) showed downregulation (FDR-adjusted p &lt; 0.05) in Ba than Co, while 5.3% (41/770) showed upregulation. A set of significantly upregulated RNAs (FDR-adjusted p &lt; 0.01, log2(fold change) &gt; 2) were observed in Ba, including sFRP1, FGFR1, ITGA9, VIT, VWA2 and PROM1, which were associated with angiogenesis response, basement membrane, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Besides, significant downregulation (FDR-adjusted p &lt; 0.01, log2(fold change) &lt; -2) of KRT14 was observed in Ba, which was well known as a biomarker for squamous differentiation. Clustering analysis with different pathway scores according to mRNA expression results of Ba yielded two major clusters: Cluster1 with higher pathway scores with resembled to Co, and Cluster2 with lower pathway scores. Survival analysis revealed that patients in Cluster1 seemed to have a longer RFS and a longer OS than those in Cluster2 (Figure 4C&amp;D), although with no statistically significance (RFS: p = 0.322, median RFS = 23.7 vs 10.8 months; OS: p = 0.217, median OS = 51.6 vs 26.5 months), which was probably due to the limited number of patients evolved (10 patients in Cluster1 and 26 in Cluster2). The most upregulated mRNA, sFRP1, was validated by IHC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that sFRP1 IHC could be a remarkable diagnosis biomarker to distinguish BSC from conventional SCC (area under ROC = 0.935, p &lt; 0.001 95%CI = 0.871-1.000). Conclusions: Our results revealed BSC as a subtype with distinct RNA expression pattern compared with conventional SCC, and provided a remarkable biomarker, sFRP1, for diagnosis.

Clinicopathological and mutational analysis of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (EBSCC) is a poorly differentiated variant of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We aimed to investigate the clinicopathological and molecular biological characteristics of EBSCC and enrolled 58 patients with EBSCCs. Clinicopathological factors including age, sex, tumor size and location, gross tumor type (superficial, protrusive, ulcerative, and unclassifiable), lymphovascular invasion, infiltrative growth, intramural invasion, TNM stage, and dominant histological type were examined. EBSCCs were classified into four types (solid, cribri, microcystic, and tubular) according to the dominant histology. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of a cancer hotspot panel was performed in 19 cases. NGS identified TP53 as the most frequently mutated gene, and copy number variation analysis revealed the most frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) loci. Target sequencing for TP53 was performed for the remaining 39 cases. We also performed LOH analysis for TP53, ATM, and RB1 and immunohistochemical staining for p53, ATM, and Rb in all cases. The rates of TP53 mutations and LOH and p53 aberrant expression were high (79.3%, 63.2%, and 72.4%, respectively); however, the frequencies were similar to those reported for ESCC. LOH rates of the RB1 and ATM loci were also high (55.3% and 67.2%, respectively). Overall survival rate was 66.5%, and recurrence-free survival rate was 55.0%. Only conventional clinicopathological factors had a prognostic impact in EBSCC; the microcystic type had the poorest prognosis. Our findings could be useful in developing novel treatment strategies for EBSCC.

The Prognostic Impact of Preoperative Serum Apolipoprotein A-I in Patients with Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BackgroundEsophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (EBSCC) is a rare malignancy. Serum apolipoprotein A-I (APO A-I) has proved to be a potentially useful prognostic indicator in various cancers. However, no studies have analyzed the prognostic significance of serum APO A-I in patients with EBSCC. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of preoperative serum APO A-I in patients with EBSCC.MethodsBetween 2007 and 2018, a retrospective study of 4050 patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) including the levels of preoperative serum lipids was conducted and evaluated. The best cut-off values of the preoperative serum lipids were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox regression analyses were analyzed the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). A prediction model of nomogram was developed to predict individual OS and RFS in EBSCC.ResultsThere were 53 patients enrolled in the study, which accounted for 1.31% (53/4050) of all primary ESCC. The best cut-off point was 1.305 g/L for serum APO A-I according to the ROC curve. Patients with lower levels of serum preoperative APO A-I were associated with worse RFS (16.1% vs 54.5%, P = 0.006) and OS (29.0% vs 63.6%, P = 0.010). The results indicated that serum APO A-I serves as an independent predictor in patients with EBSCC regarding OS [hazard ratio (HR): 0.352; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.154–0.808; P = 0.014] and RFS (HR: 0.397; 95% CI: 0.185–0.850; P = 0.017).ConclusionPreoperative serum APO A-I is an independent predictor regarding OS and RFS in EBSCC. As far as we know, this is the first study in EBSCC to explore the serum APO A-I in patients with EBSCC.

Esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a subepithelial lesion.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is rare and generally detected at advanced stage, and its prognosis is poorer than that of conventional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, detection at the early stage is crucial for patient survival. We experienced an elevated esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a subepithelial tumor-like lesion. Although the lesion needed to be differentiated from subepithelial tumor, we diagnosed it as early stage and treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection. We report the macroscopic and microscopic findings of basaloid carcinoma through this case along with a review of the relevant literature.

Comparative Analysis of Clinicopathological Characteristics, Survival Features, and Protein Expression Between Basaloid and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus.

BackgroundBasaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus. This study aimed to assess the discrepancy in clinicopathological characteristics and protein expression between esophageal BSCC and typical esophageal SCC.Study DesignWe reviewed 40 cases of esophageal BSCC. As controls, 63 well-differentiated SCC (WSCC) patients, 70 moderately differentiated SCC (MSCC) patients, and 51 poorly differentiated SCC (PSCC) patients were selected. The clinicopathologic characteristics and immunoreactivity of Ki-67, p53, p63, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were then evaluated in the BSCC and typical SCC patients.ResultsThe 5-year survival rates for the BSCC patients were 27.5%. The prognostic outcomes of the BSCC group were similar to those of the PSCC and MSCC groups but worse than that of the WSCC group, with a significant difference (P=0.045). Ki-67 expression was significantly higher in the BSCC group than that in the WSCC group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in the expression of the other molecular markers (p53, p63, and EGFR) between the typical SCC and BSCC groups (P > 0.05). The median survival time of esophageal the BSCC patients with low p53 expression was significantly longer than that of the patients with high p53 expression (P=0.026). Further, the median survival time of the esophageal BSCC patients with high p63 expression was significantly longer than that of the patients with low p63 expression (P=0.041). Meanwhile, Ki-67 and EGFR expressions were not correlated with OS in the BSCC group.ConclusionEsophageal BSCC has a more clinically virulent course. Notably, p53 and p63 expression are associated with prognosis in BSCC. These findings conject that evaluation of multiple cancer biomarkers might be a promising auxiliary diagnostic indicator in BSCC.

S1981 Beyond SCC: Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus

INTRODUCTION: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is an aggressive and poorly differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma that has both basaloid and squamous components. Its first description suggests that the tumor originates from totipotential cells in the basal layer of squamous epithelium. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 57-year old African American female with a history of chronic GERD and stroke was referred for 3 months of dysphagia to solids, a weight loss of 30 lbs, and abnormal barium swallow. She denied alcohol use and smoking. Barium swallow from the referring facility showed segmental narrowing and a long irregular distal esophageal stricture. Upper endoscopy revealed a circumferential ulcerated mass at 25 cm up to 32 cm from the incisors, preventing passage of the adult gastroscope. This was exchanged for a pediatric gastroscope. A patch of nodular mucosa with ulceration was seen at 23 cm from the incisors. Pathology showed moderately to poorly differentiated basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. DISCUSSION: BSCC is predominantly seen in the upper aerodigestive tract (nasopharynx, tongue, larynx, trachea), where it can be associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Esophageal BSCC is very rare, accounting for only 0.068-4.0% of esophageal carcinomas, and its associated with HPV is less certain. Patients with esophageal BSCC are older, have higher proliferative activity, and higher apoptotic indices when compared to typical squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. Like our case, patients with esophageal BSCC often present with dysphagia and weight loss. On endoscopy, deeply invasive, large bulky ulcerated fungating masses are seen. Histologically, BSCC consists of small basaloid cells with oval to round nuclei, pale chromatin, and scant basophilic cytoplasm. The cells are arranged in solid or cribriform lobules with comedo-necrosis. On immunohistochemistry stains, there is poor reactivity for cytokeratin 13 and 14, antibodies that are typical of squamous cell epithelia. Widespread metastases are usually present upon diagnosis. However, if curative resection is possible, the prognosis of patients with esophageal BSCC is similar to that of patients with typical SCC.Figure 1.: Proximal end of the esophageal tumor.Figure 2.: Distal end of the esophageal tumor.

Pulmonary metastasectomy for esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma component at 66\u2009months after esophagectomy

BackgroundSolitary pulmonary metastasis from esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) components is an extremely rare recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).Case presentationA 68-year-old Japanese woman was found to have a suspected malignant mass, approximately 2 cm in diameter, in her left lower pulmonary lobe, at 66 months after undergoing a curative esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection for esophageal SCC with a focal basaloid component. After a CT-guided biopsy, pathological examination indicated a metastasis from esophageal BSCC components. She underwent a thoracoscopic partial resection of the left lower pulmonary lobe for the solitary pulmonary metastasis. The pathohistology of the resected specimen led to diagnosis of metastatic esophageal BSCC, which showed immunohistochemical findings similar to those of the primary esophageal carcinoma. The patient received two courses of adjuvant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, docetaxel plus nedaplatin) and recovered to resume a normal life with maintenance therapy. However, multiple lung and brain metastases were diagnosed at 2 years after the pulmonary metastasectomy. She survived 5 years and 6 months after the pulmonary metastasectomy, but died at 10 years and 6 months after her initial esophagectomy.ConclusionThis was a rare surgical resected case of solitary pulmonary metastasis from esophageal BSCC components.

A Resected Case of Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma Demonstrating a Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy of 5-FU and Nedaplatin

A Resected Case of Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma Demonstrating a Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy of 5-FU and Nedaplatin

A long-surviving patient with advanced esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma treated only with radiotherapy: case report and literature review

BackgroundEsophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (EBSCC) is a rare malignant disease. Advanced EBSCC (AEBSCC) has a poorer prognosis than the more common esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but no treatment policy has yet been established. This is the first reported case with AEBSCC treated only with radiotherapy. Thus, our long-surviving patient merits consideration. We therefore reviewed cases with the same stage of AEBSCC for further investigation.Case presentationAn 85-year-old man with a chief complaint of difficulty swallowing foods was diagnosed with AEBSCC, cT3N1M0, stage III, by thorough examination. The basaloid carcinoma extended from the upper thoracic esophagus to the middle thoracic esophagus based on imaging studies, endoscopy and biopsy.Morphologically, the tumor was an elevated ulcerative area. We conducted radiotherapy to relieve symptoms, as the patient and his family refused aggressive treatment. He has remained alive without recurrence for 2 years, to date, after completing radiotherapy.ConclusionsBasaloid carcinoma might be highly sensitive to radiotherapy. Thus, radiotherapy for local control might be beneficial for elderly patients with complications and those refusing aggressive treatment.

The Preoperative Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio Is a Novel Immune Parameter for the Prognosis of Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BackgroundThe pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an independent predictor of prognosis in various malignancies, but its predictive capacity in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (BSCCE) remains unclear. We aim to determine the value of the inflammation-related factors, including the NLR, neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR), and albumin levels, in predicting BSCCE prognosis.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the records of 121 patients with pathologically diagnosed BSCCE that underwent a curative esophagectomy from January 2007 to December 2014. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).ResultsThe preoperative NLR was correlated with the tumor length and NMR. In OS univariate analyses, a high NLR (>1.77), high NMR (>12.31), and low albumin (≤40.0 g/L) level were significantly associated with a poorer survival in BSCCE. The median OS was significantly greater in low NLR (≤1.77) than in the high NLR (>1.77) patients (51.0 vs. 31.0 months; P = 0.008). In multivariate analyses, only the NLR was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio (HR), 2.030; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.262–3.264; P = 0.003). A high NLR was also an independent predictor of a poorer RFS in BSCCE (HR, 2.222; 95% CI, 1.407–3.508; P = 0.001); the median RFS for low (≤1.77) and high (> 1.77) NLR patients was 44.0 months and 14.0 months, respectively. NLR remained a strong prognostic indicator for OS in stage I/II patients and a preoperative NLR>1.77 was predictive of a poor RFS in both stage I/II and stage III patients.ConclusionsWe show that the preoperative NLR, a convenient and cost-effective biomarker, may serve as a prognostic indicator for BSCCE patients following curative surgery.

Comparative analysis of basaloid and conventional squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus: prognostic relevance of clinicopathological features and protein expression.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC), a variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is a rare and aggressive epithelial malignancy which has been reported in only 0.1-11% of primary esophageal carcinomas. In this study, a comparison of clinicopathological features and protein expression between esophageal BSCC (EBSCC) and conventional esophageal SCC (ESCC) cases from Brazil was performed in order to find factors that can be relevant to better characterize EBSCC. The expression of HER2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Ki-67, and cyclins (A, B1, and D1) in 111 cases (95 ESCC and 16 EBSCC) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray. When the clinicopathological data were compared, no significant difference was found between the two histological types. Although the difference is not significant (p = 0.055), the EGFR expression was more frequent in the conventional ESCC than in the EBSCC group. Our results indicate that the clinicopathological profiles of conventional ESCC and EBSCC are similar and provide no indicators for differences in prognosis between these two groups.

Characteristics and diagnosis of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma

Background Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a relatively rare, malignant disease of the esophagus. The prognosis of patients with BSCC is thought to be poorer than that of typical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but the treatment strategy for BSCC is generally the same as that for typical SCC. This study examined the diagnosis, the clinical and pathological characteristics, and the results of therapy in patients with BSCC.

Molecular Characteristics of Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: Analysis of KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA Mutations and LINE-1 Methylation.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) of the esophagus is a rare carcinoma with distinct characteristics, and was recently recognized as a variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We previously revealed genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with esophageal SCCs in relation to clinical outcome, including mutations in KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA, p53 expression, and long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) methylation, a surrogate marker for global DNA methylation level. In this study, we explored these features in BSCC. A database of 502 esophageal cancers was used to evaluate the clinical and molecular characteristics of BSCC. KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations and LINE-1 methylation were analyzed by pyrosequencing. Of 502 tumors, 22 (4.4 %) were pathologically diagnosed as BSCC, and 440 (87 %) as SCC. No prognostic differences between BSCC and SCC cases were identified (p = 0.41). KRAS or BRAF mutations were not observed in BSCCs. While 23 % of SCC tumors harbored a PIK3CA mutation, all BSCC cases were wild-type for PIK3CA (p = 0.002), and there were no differences in p53 expression between BSCCs and SCCs (p = 0.57), as assessed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, BSCC tissues exhibited significantly lower levels of LINE-1 methylation than SCC tissues (p < 0.0001). These findings imply that esophageal BSCC and SCC retain different cellular phenotypes with distinct genetic and epigenetic alterations; thus, tailored therapeutic strategies should be developed against each cancer type.