International Journal of Medical Laboratory
Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences
Wed, Apr 8, 2026
[Archive]
Department of Pathology, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Abstract: (6 Views)
Introduction: Esophageal cancer is a highly lethal malignancy with marked geographic variation in incidence and histopathology, with squamous cell carcinoma predominating in high-risk regions such as Iran. Robust local epidemiological and pathological data are essential for early detection, effective management, and targeted prevention.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzed all esophageal biopsy specimens submitted from 2016 to 2021. Demographic, clinical, anatomical, and histopathological data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23, with chi-square tests for categorical variables and one-way ANOVA for continuous variables; p < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: A total of 420 biopsies were analyzed (51% male; mean age 45.5 ± 25 years, range 1–90), with the highest frequency in patients aged 61–80 years (31%). Dysphagia was the most common symptom (51.9%), and the distal esophagus was the predominant site (75.2%). Malignant lesions accounted for 45.7% of cases, primarily squamous cell carcinoma (33.3%) and adenocarcinoma (9.5%) ,while benign lesions comprised 14.8%, most commonly squamous papilloma (5.7%) and esophagitis was present in 27.1% (mainly non-infectious) .Malignancies were more frequent in older patients, whereas benign and inflammatory findings predominated in younger individuals. Lesion type was unrelated to sex but significantly associated with location (p = 0.001). Dysphagia correlated significantly with malignant, inflammatory, and normal histology.
Conclusion: Malignant esophageal lesions, predominantly squamous cell carcinoma, mainly affect older adults and the distal esophagus in Yazd, Iran, whereas benign lesions are more common in younger patients. Despite dysphagia being the strongest predictor of malignancy, biopsy confirmation is still required.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzed all esophageal biopsy specimens submitted from 2016 to 2021. Demographic, clinical, anatomical, and histopathological data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23, with chi-square tests for categorical variables and one-way ANOVA for continuous variables; p < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: A total of 420 biopsies were analyzed (51% male; mean age 45.5 ± 25 years, range 1–90), with the highest frequency in patients aged 61–80 years (31%). Dysphagia was the most common symptom (51.9%), and the distal esophagus was the predominant site (75.2%). Malignant lesions accounted for 45.7% of cases, primarily squamous cell carcinoma (33.3%) and adenocarcinoma (9.5%) ,while benign lesions comprised 14.8%, most commonly squamous papilloma (5.7%) and esophagitis was present in 27.1% (mainly non-infectious) .Malignancies were more frequent in older patients, whereas benign and inflammatory findings predominated in younger individuals. Lesion type was unrelated to sex but significantly associated with location (p = 0.001). Dysphagia correlated significantly with malignant, inflammatory, and normal histology.
Conclusion: Malignant esophageal lesions, predominantly squamous cell carcinoma, mainly affect older adults and the distal esophagus in Yazd, Iran, whereas benign lesions are more common in younger patients. Despite dysphagia being the strongest predictor of malignancy, biopsy confirmation is still required.
Keywords: Adenocarcinoma, Benign esophageal lesions, Esophageal cancer, Esophagitis, Squamous cell carcinoma
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