Histopathological Spectrum of Esophageal Biopsy Specimens in Northwest Rajasthan

Introduction: Esophageal lesions, both malignant and non-malignant, pose significant clinical challenges due to their overlapping symptoms, the potential for malignancy, and the global burden of esophageal cancer, particularly in developing regions. Methods: The study included 103 esophageal biopsy specimens collected at a regional cancer center in Rajasthan. Biopsies were processed via paraffin embedding, microtome sectioning, and staining techniques, including hematoxylin and eosin. Inadequate, improperly fixed, or degenerated specimens were excluded. Data analysis considered patient demographics, lesion classification, and histopathological findings. Chi-square tests were used to assess statistical significance among groups. Results: The mean participant age was 54.41 years, with a near-equal gender distribution (51.5% females, 48.5% males). Malignant lesions dominated the spectrum, accounting for 88.3% of cases, primarily squamous cell carcinoma (97.8% of malignant lesions). Non-neoplastic lesions constituted 8.7%, with conditions like Barrett’s esophagus (22.2%) and reflux esophagitis (44.4%) being the most frequent. Benign lesions were rare, comprising 2.9% of the total cases. Age was significantly associated with lesion type (p = 0.009), with malignant lesions most prevalent in the 41–80 age group. Conclusion: This study highlights the predominance of squamous cell carcinoma among esophageal lesions in Northwest Rajasthan, emphasizing the significance of histopathological analysis in diagnosing and managing esophageal conditions. The findings advocate targeted screening, especially for older adults.