Clinicopathologic features of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in different infiltrative growth pattern

Increased tumor size, presence of IPCL type B2, and depressed gross morphology were more indicative of INFc-type SESCC. Compared with INFa and INFb, INFc type SESCC has deeper infiltration depth and is more likely to have lymphovascular invasion and positive postoperative resection margins. Therefore, careful endoscopic visualization of tumor size, IPCL, and gross morphology can improve the prediction of INF and tumor status, facilitating informed preoperative selection of surgical approach and subsequent postoperative treatments.