Esophageal carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the esophagus, most commonly either squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. While the initial diagnosis is usually made by endoscopy with biopsy, endoscopic ultrasound plays a crucial role in staging the cancer by determining how deeply the tumor has invaded the esophageal wall and whether nearby lymph nodes appear involved. On endoscopic ultrasound, the normal esophageal wall shows five distinct layers, and the depth of tumor invasion through these layers directly affects treatment decisions and prognosis. Endoscopic ultrasound can also guide fine needle aspiration of suspicious lymph nodes to confirm or rule out metastatic spread.
Sonography Term