Esophageal carcinoma originating in the surface epithelium with immunohistochemically proven esophageal gland duct differentiation: A case report

Abstract

A case of esophageal carcinoma exclusively composed of adenocarcinoma simulating an esophageal gland duct in a 61-year-old man is presented. The tumor arose as a slightly elevated lesion in the middle intrathoracic esophagus. It was almost completely overlaid with non-neoplastic stratified squamous epithelial cells. Beneath the overlying surface epithelium, an adenocarcinoma that was bilayered in structure diffusely invaded both the mucosal and submucosal layers. Although the tumor consisted exclusively of adenocarcinomatous cells, a keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma component was focally observed. The invasive carcinoma was focally continuous with the small area of the surface squamous epithelial layer, which was confirmed to be neoplastic by immunohistochemistry. Morphological and immunohistochemical examinations suggested that the adenocarcinomatous component arose from the esophageal surface epithelium and clearly differentiated into an esophageal gland duct. It is important to consider the possibility of this type of adenocarcinoma when diagnosing a ductal or glandular lesion of the esophagus in small biopsy specimens.

Key Words: Esophageal adenocarcinoma, Bilayered structure, Esophageal gland duct

Core tip: We present a case of esophageal carcinoma exclusively composed of adenocarcinoma simulating an esophageal gland duct. Morphologic and immunohistochemical examinations proved that adenocarcinomatous component here arose from the esophageal surface epithelium and showed a clear differentiation toward an esophageal gland duct. It is important to consider the possibility of this type of adenocarcinoma when diagnosing a ductal or glandular lesion of the esophagus in small biopsy specimens.

INTRODUCTION

Although the frequency of esophageal adenocarcinoma has dramatically increased in recent years in the United States, squamous cell carcinoma remains predominant and adenocarcinomas are relatively rare in Asian countries. Most tumors develop from Barrett’s esophagus, although they rarely arise from heterotopic gastric mucosa, as a component of adenosquamous cell carcinoma or mucoepidermoid carcinoma[1]. The tumors are similar in appearance to a conventional adenocarcinoma but exhibit various degrees of differentiation. Neoplastic glands or papillae are, if well-differentiated, composed of single-layered epithelium.

In some glandular organs such as mammary and salivary tissues, the cellular lining throughout the ductal-lobular system is bilayered[2,3]. The lining consists of an inner (luminal) epithelial and an outer (basal or myoepithelial) cell layer. Although neoplasm is basically monophasic, rare variants of tumors biphasic in nature, e.g., adenomyoepithelioma and epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma, can develop in these organs[4,5]. In addition, in the esophagus, the esophageal glands normally exhibit a ductal-lobular system with a bilayered structure[6]. Apart from esophageal gland duct adenoma featuring a double-layered epithelium[7], adenocarcinomas that are bilayered in structure are rarely observed as minor components of squamous cell carcinomas[8].

Here we report a case of extremely unique esophageal carcinoma composed exclusively of an adenocarcinoma that was bilayered in structure (i.e., with luminal and basal cell layers) and showed esophageal gland duct differentiation.

CASE REPORT

A 61-year-old man, who had been treated for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, was referred to our hospital because of a high level of peripheral CEA (6.9 ng/mL; normal range < 5.0). Endoscopic examinations of the esophagus revealed a slightly elevated and reddish lesion with small depressed areas located 28 cm from the incisors (Figure 1). The central and depressed areas were observed as brownish areas by narrow-band imaging (NBI) and unstained with Lugol’s iodine. Biopsy specimens of the lesion demonstrated atypical glands that were bilayered in structure dispersed, and not lobulated. Endoscopic ultrasonography suggested an infiltrative growth in the submucosal layer. We did not make a diagnosis from the biopsy specimens and sought to endoscopically remove the lesion for thorough examination. After diagnosing an esophageal carcinoma, the patient underwent radiation therapy and chemotherapy because he refused additional surgical treatment of the possible residual tumor. The patient remains in good health without disease after 5 years and 8 mo. The resected specimen (tumor size: 2 cm × 1.5 cm) was slightly elevated with a gentle slope as seen in the endoscopic examination (Figure 2A). The specimen was covered with stratified squamous epithelium except for a small erosive change on the top of the lesion. Neither Barrett’s metaplasia nor ectopic gastric mucosa was observed within the lesion. Variably sized atypical tubules including cystically dilated ones were dispersed in the mucosal and submucosal layers (Figure 2B). In addition, a small number of nests of keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma connecting with the neoplastic tubules were observed, mainly in the deepest region of the invasion (Figure 2C). Some of the neoplastic tubules exhibited relatively smooth contours; others were irregularly dilated. All tubules exhibited a bilayered structure, with inner luminal and outer epithelial layers (Figure 2D). Goblet cell-like mucus cells were rarely observed in the inner layer of the tubules. On top of the lesion, a connection between the invasive carcinoma component and the surface-covering epithelium was observed (Figure 2E). Conventional microscopic examination did not reveal sufficient atypia to support a diagnosis of dysplasia in the surface-covering squamous epithelium. Immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated that the outer layer cells of the neoplastic tubules were reactive for p63 (Figure 3A) and CK5/6, but negative for S100 and SMA. The inner layer cells were immunopositive for S100 (Figure 3B), CK7 (Figure 3C), and CK5/6, but negative for p63 and SMA. Overexpression of p53 was diffusely observed both in the inner luminal and outer layer cells (Figure 3D). Localized, transepithelial, high-level expression of p53 and CK7 was observed in the small region of the surface epithelium that was connected with the invasive carcinoma component (Figure 3C and D, respectively). The results of the examinations are listed in Table 1.

Table 1 Immunohistochemical examinations.

Antibody	Source	Intralobular		Extralobular		Present case
		Luminal	Myoepithel	Luminal	Basal	Inner	Outer
Anti-P63	DAKO (prediluted)	-	++	-	++	-	++
Anti-CK5/6	DAKO (prediluted)	++	Focal +	++	++	±	++
Anti-S100	DAKO (prediluted)	++	++	+	-	+	-
Anti-CK7	DAKO (prediluted)	++	++	++	++	++	++
Anti-SMA	DAKO (prediluted)	-	++	-	-	-	-
Anti-P53	DAKO (prediluted)	-	-	-	-	++	++

Figure 1 Endoscopic appearance. A: White-light conventional endoscopy showed a submucosal tumor-like lesion. There were two reddish depressed areas on the surface of the tumor; B: The lesion appeared as brownish areas on NBI; C: Magnification endoscopy with NBI revealed irregular loop-shaped microvessels coexisting with irregularly branched thick non-looped vessels in depressed areas, where Lugol’s iodine (D) showed negative staining.

Figure 2 Perspective view of the resected specimen. A: Variably sized glands are diffusely dispersed accompanying stromal fibrosis in the mucosal and submucosal layers. In the deepest zone, some solid nests without a luminal structure are evident; B: Invasive carcinoma is composed of round or oval-shaped glands and irregularly dilated glands; C: Invasive tumor nests of keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma are observed in the deepest part of the lesion; D: A higher-power view shows that the glands are have two cell layers. Most cells do not exhibit enough atypia to support a diagnosis of dysplasia; E: The underlying carcinoma component is focally continuous with the surface covering epithelial layer. Although the covering epithelium is obviously thinned compared with surrounding epithelium, we found no significant atypia in the area continuous with the invasive carcinoma. B and E: Magnification 100 ×; C and D Magnification 200 ×.

Figure 3 Immunohistochemical examinations. A: p63 (magnification 200 ×); B: S-100 (magnification 400 ×); C: CK7 (magnification 100 ×); D: p53 (magnification 100 ×). The outer layer cells of the neoplastic tubules were reactive for p63 and CK7, but negative for S100. The inner layer cells were immunopositive for S100, CK7, but negative for p63. Strong expressions of p53 and CK7 were observed in the small area of the surface epithelium connecting with the invasive carcinoma component. Both the inner and outer layer cells in the invasive component also overexpressed p53 protein.

DISCUSSION

The frequency of esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased in the United States, although squamous cell carcinoma remains predominant in Asian countries. Although most tumors develop as primary adenocarcinomas in the metaplastic glandular tissue of Barrett’s esophagus, an adenocarcinoma can sometimes arise as a metaplastic change in squamous cell carcinoma[8]. These exhibit a conventional tubular/papillary structure with various extents of differentiation; well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinomas feature well-formed neoplastic tubules with a single-layered epithelium. In the present case, the tumor was almost exclusively composed of well-formed tubules of various sizes, all of which exhibited a bilayered structure; i.e., inner luminal and outer cell layers. This unique morphological feature reminded us of the esophageal gland duct that is also composed of inner luminal cells and outer myoepithelial/basal cells. Although, as Takubo et al[9] reported, an adenocarcinomatous component similar to an esophageal gland duct is frequently observed among esophageal carcinomas. Only one case report describing a tumor predominantly composed of adenocarcinoma with a bilayered structure reminiscent of an esophageal gland duct has appeared. Immunohistochemical and morphological examinations clearly revealed that the neoplastic tubules in the present case were differentiating toward an esophageal gland duct. There have been no reports demonstrating immunohistochemical evidence of esophageal gland duct differentiation of a bilayered adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The present case is the first report of esophageal carcinoma exclusively composed of adenocarcinoma with morphologically and immunohistochemically confirmed differentiation of an esophageal gland duct.

There have been a few case reports of esophageal carcinoma containing a bilayered adenocarcinomatous element. Hishida et al[10] reported a case of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma that partially contained an adenocarcinomatous component with a bilayered structure. In the cited case, the outer layer cells of the neoplastic tubules had clear cytoplasm and expressed SMA, similar to the outer layer cells seen in adenomyoepithelioma of the breast or epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland. The tumor reported by Ohtaka et al[11] was an esophageal carcinosarcoma in which the neoplastic ducts were surrounded by neoplastic myoepithelial cells. These cases suggest that the tubular components of the carcinomas differentiated towards the intralobular ducts of the esophageal gland. Endoh et al[12] also reported a case of esophageal adenocarcinoma differentiating toward an esophageal gland duct. However, unlike the above two cases, the outer layer cells of the neoplastic tubules were immunoreactive for CK34bE12 and CK5/6, but immunonegative for SMA. This immunoprofile suggested that the tumor differentiated towards an extralobular duct of the esophageal gland. In the present case, the tubular component also exhibited differentiation toward an extralobular duct of the esophageal gland.

The adenocarcinomatous components of the former two cases constituted small portions of a basaloid squamous cell carcinoma and carcinosarcoma, respectively. A basaloid squamous cell carcinoma in known to have the capacity to differentiate in different ways[13,14]. It was thus speculated that the component with the bilayered structure was characterized by multidifferentiation of an original squamous cell carcinoma (a basaloid or carcinosarcoma). On the other hand, Endoh et al[12] concluded that the adenocarcinomatous component originated in the esophageal gland duct because the overlying squamous cell epithelium did not exhibit significant atypia. The present case was also exclusively composed of adenocarcinoma without the component reminiscent of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. The invasive carcinoma component was focally continuous with the overlying squamous epithelial layer. Although this epithelium did not show enough atypia to be diagnosed as dysplasia, the localized epithelial area showed diffuse and strong expression of CK7 and p53. The localized and intense expression of these proteins indicated that the area of the surface epithelium was neoplastic regardless of the relatively bland cytological appearance[15]. Therefore, it follows that the tumor in the present case exhibited bidirectional differentiation towards a novel esophageal gland duct and conventional squamous epithelium. Recent studies have shown that uncommitted stem cells are located in the papillae of the basal layer of the esophageal epithelium[16]. While some reports described that bilayered adenocarcinoma must have arisen in the original gland duct because of its morphological similarity[12], we believe that the origin should not be confused with the differentiation of the tumor. Molecular techniques including next-generation sequencing will aid in elucidating the origin of this unique carcinoma.

Although only a few tumors, including esophageal gland adenomas and salivary gland-type carcinomas, need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors with bilayered structures, precise morphological and immunohistochemical examinations should render a distinction possible[7]. Squamous cell carcinoma sometimes exhibits a pseudoangiomatous pattern resulting from acantholysis and can closely mimic the tumor of the present case. Light microscopy may reveal the presence of a luminal cell layer, and immunohistochemical confirmation of p63 expression only in the outer cell layer can exclude the possibility of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma.

Although a bilayer-structured adenocarcinoma differentiating towards an esophageal gland duct is not very rare, an esophageal tumor that is exclusively an adenocarcinoma (as in the present case) is exceptionally rare. Awareness of this type of adenocarcinoma in the esophagus can prevent pathologists from being confused when encountering small biopsy specimens of the adenocarcinoma.

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

Esophageal carcinoma in a 61-year-old man exhibited an endoscopically submucosal tumor-like appearance. The tumor was exclusively composed of an adenocarcinoma with morphologically and immunohistochemically confirmed esophageal gland duct-type differentiation.

Clinical diagnosis

A high level of peripheral carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA).

Differential diagnosis

Esophageal carcinoma.

Laboratory diagnosis

A high level of peripheral CEA.

Imaging diagnosis

Esophageal submucosal tumor.

Pathological diagnosis

Esophageal carcinoma exclusively composed of adenocarcinoma differentiating into an esophageal gland duct.

Treatment

Endoscopic submucosal dissection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Related reports

There have been reports describing esophageal carcinoma containing a small element of adenocarcinoma similar to an esophageal gland duct. Although one case of a carcinoma entirely comprised of an adenocarcinoma similar to an esophageal gland duct has been reported, neither the origin nor the differentiation pathway was clearly confirmed.

Term explanation

Conventional adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is composed of neoplastic tubules with single-layered epithelium, although the present case is almost exclusively composed of well-formed tubules with bilayered structure reminiscent of an esophageal gland duct.

Experiences and lessons

An esophageal tumor exclusively composed of bilayer-structured adenocarcinoma differentiating towards an esophageal gland duct is exceptionally rare. Awareness of this type of adenocarcinoma in the esophagus can prevent pathologists from being confused when encountering small biopsy specimens of the adenocarcinoma.

Peer-review

This paper is informative and suitable for publication.