Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Esophageal Cancer
Introduction:
Esophageal cancer can be adenocarcinoma (typically in the lower esophagus, arising from reflux and Barrett's esophagus) or squamous cell carcinoma (typically in the upper esophagus, from smoking or alcohol).
Hematogenous metastases are more common in adenocarcinomas.
Prevalence: Rare Metastasis Frequency: Common
References:
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005 Feb;184(2):487-90. PMID: 15671368
J Clin Oncol. 2001 Apr 1;19(7):1970-5. PMID: 11283129
J Am Coll Surg. 2003 Jun;196(6):866-73. PMID: 12788422
Primary Tumor:
| Characteristics | Comments | |
| Esophagus | Local Wall Thickening |
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Local Lymph Nodes | Common | mediastinal nodes, gastrohepatic nodes |
|
| Liver | Common | Hypoenhancing | most common site for distant metastases of adenocarcinoma (second most common for SCC) |
| Lung Parenchyma | Common | Nodule | most common site for distant metastases from SCC (second most common for adeno) |
| Bone | Uncommon | Lytic | |
| Peritoneum | Rare | ||
| Adrenal Glands | Rare | ||
| Spleen | Very Rare | ||
| Heart | Very Rare | ||
| Kidney | Very Rare | ||
| Thyroid | Very Rare |