Malignant Tumors of the Esophagus

Nearly all primary carcinomas of the esophagus arise from its lining of stratified squamous epithelium, forming squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma. Rarely primary adenocarcinoma develops in the esophagus, either from ectopic gastric mucosa or from esophageal glands. (Commonly, adenocarcinoma of the stomach extends up into the esophagus.)