Tumors of the esophagus can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). There are certain tumors that are classified as atypical (uncertain or unspecified behavior) meaning that some behave in a benign manner, or some behave in a malignant manner. A majority of the esophageal tumors diagnosed via lab studies (biopsy) are benign.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is an authoritative body that compiles, prepares, and publishes histological and molecular classification of tumors, via their Blue Books, based on research inputs from experts worldwide. These reference books chiefly aid in global cancer research, provide gold standards for tumor diagnosis, and help in treating cancer patients.

According to the WHO Classification of Digestive System Tumors (2019), 5th Ed., Vol. 1, benign and malignant tumors of the esophagus are classified in the following manner:

Tumors of the esophagus:

• Tumors of the esophagus

Epithelial tumors

• Benign epithelial tumors and precursors
  • Esophageal squamous papilloma
  • Barrett dysplasia
  • Esophageal squamous dysplasia
• Malignant epithelial tumors
  • Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction NOS
  • Esophageal adenoid cystic carcinoma: It is a very rare and unusual form of cancer that is typically observed in middle-aged and older adults
  • Esophageal adenosquamous and mucoepidermoid carcinomas
  • Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma NOS: It is a highly-malignant tumor of the epithelium that is normally observed in middle-aged and older adults
  • Esophageal undifferentiated carcinoma
  • Esophageal neuroendocrine neoplasms: Esophageal neoplasms with neuroendocrine differentiation include low, intermediate, and high- grade tumors and carcinomas. These are extremely rare and malignant

Additional esophageal and esophagogastric junction tumor articles (on DoveMed) that are not part of WHO Classification of Digestive System Tumors:

Adenocarcinoma of Esophagogastric Junction: It is a malignant tumor of the epithelium with glandular differentiation, typically affecting middle-aged and older adult males.

Adenocarcinoma of Esophagus: It is a malignant tumor of the epithelium with glandular differentiation, typically affecting middle-aged and older adult males.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Esophagogastric Junction: It is a form of gastrointestinal tract cancer having malignant squamous cells and glandular cells. It is normally observed in adults over the age of 50 years.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Esophagus: It is a form of esophageal cancer having malignant squamous cells and glandular cells. It is observed in adults over the age of 40 years.

Barrett’s Esophagus: It is a condition that results in the transformation of the normal esophageal lining (squamous epithelial lining) to the lining that is similar to the intestinal lining (columnar epithelial lining). It can occur in individuals of all ages but is commonly observed in elderly males.

Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BSCC) of Esophagus: It is an unusual, but aggressive subtype of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. It is normally observed in middle-aged and older adults.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) of Esophagus: It is a very rare, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that affects older adults.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of Esophagus: It is a very rare tumor that forms in the esophagus. The tumor is mostly observed in middle to older adults.

Granular Cell Tumor of Esophagus: It is an extremely rare tumor of the esophagus that is mostly observed in middle-aged and older adults.

Hemangioma of Esophagus: It is a benign vascular tumor that forms in the esophagus. These tumors are mostly observed in elderly men and women.

Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (LCNEC) of Esophagus: It is an extremely rare, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus. It is observed in middle-aged and older adults.

Leiomyoma of Esophagus: It is a common benign tumor that forms in the esophagus. A wide age range of individuals may be affected including children and adults.

Leiomyosarcoma of Esophagus: It is a very uncommon and highly-malignant mesenchymal tumor that is observed in adults.

Lymphangioma of Esophagus: It is an extremely rare benign tumor of lymphatic blood vessels. It is mostly observed in older adults.

Lymphoma of Esophagus: It is a very uncommon form of lymphoma that is generally observed in elderly men and women.

MALT Lymphoma of Esophagus: It is a very rare, non-gastric type of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma. It affects the esophagus commonly in older adults.

Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinoma of Esophagus: It is an extremely uncommon, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus. It is observed in middle-aged and older adults.

Primary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (MEC) of Esophagus: It is a very rare malignant tumor of the epithelium that is observed in middle-aged and older adults.

Pylorocardiac Carcinoma of Esophagogastric Junction: It is a malignant tumor of the esophagus, typically affecting middle-aged and older adult males.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of Esophagus: It is a highly uncommon and aggressive mesenchymal tumor that is observed in older adults.

Small Cell Carcinoma of Esophagogastric Junction: It is a rare form of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract that is normally observed in adults over the age of 50 years.

Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (SCNEC) of Esophagus: It is an extremely rare, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus. It is frequently observed in middle-aged and older adults.

Spindle Cell (Squamous) Carcinoma of Esophagus: It is a subtype of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. It is normally observed in middle-aged and older adults.

Synovial Sarcoma of Esophagus: It is a malignant mesenchymal tumor of the esophagus. The tumor is predominantly seen among younger populations.

Verrucous (Squamous) Carcinoma of Esophagus: It is an extremely rare subtype of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus. It is normally observed in middle-aged and older adults.