Integrative review of esophageal neoplasms: Anatomical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects from 2015 to 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i2.50680Keywords:
Immunotherapy, Transanal Endoscopic Surgery, Early Diagnosis, Esophageal Neoplasms , Combination Therapy.Abstract
Esophageal cancer represents one of the greatest challenges in contemporary oncology, being responsible for a high global mortality rate and frequently reported in advanced events. This research aims to synthesize the most recent evidence on esophageal neoplasms, from their anatomical and pathophysiological aspects to contemporary therapeutic approaches. This integrative review analyzed scientific publications from 2015 to 2025, focusing on the anatomical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of esophageal neoplasms. Clinical studies, systematic reviews, and observational research covering topics ranging from molecular biology to clinical practices were included. The results highlight important advances, such as the application of artificial intelligence in endoscopies, the incorporation of minimally invasive techniques, and the introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapy in the management of advanced cases. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of esophageal anatomy and tumor propagation pathways has influenced the personalization of treatment. However, there are still significant inequalities in access to early diagnosis and modern treatments, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The review highlights the urgent need for public policies, professional training, and integration between science and clinical practice to improve outcomes for patients with this aggressive cancer.
References
Ajani, J. A., et al. (2023). Esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancers, version 2.2023, NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 21(4), 393–422.
An, S., et al. (2015). Granular cell tumor of the gastrointestinal tract: Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 98 cases. Human Pathology, 46(6), 813–819.
Andrici, J., & Eslick, G. D. (2015). Hot food and beverage consumption and the risk of esophageal cancer. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(6), 952–960.
Businello, G., et al. (2020). The pathologic and molecular landscape of esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis. Cancers, 12(8), 2160.
Castro, C., Peleteiro, B., & Lunet, N. (2017). Modifiable factors and esophageal cancer: A systematic review of published meta-analyses. Journal of Gastroenterology, 53(1), 37–51.
Cavallin, F., et al. (2018). Esophageal cancer clinical presentation. Annals of Surgery, 267(1), 99–104.
Chu, Y., et al. (2019). Long-term efficacy and safety of intralesional steroid injection plus oral steroid administration in preventing stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal epithelial neoplasms. Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques, 33(4), 1244–1251.
Crossetti, M. G. O. (2012). Revisão integrativa de pesquisa na enfermagem o rigor cientifico que lhe é exigido. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 33(2), 8-9.
Duits, L. C., et al. (2016). Patients with Barrett’s esophagus and confirmed persistent low-grade dysplasia are at increased risk for progression to neoplasia. Gastroenterology, 152(5), 993-1001.e1.
Giannetta, E., et al. (2019). A rare rarity: Neuroendocrine tumor of the esophagus. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 137, 92–107.
Gibson, M. K. (2018). Epidemiology and pathobiology of esophageal cancer. UpToDate. Recuperado em 7 de maio de 2025, de https://www.uptodate.com
Hashimoto, R., et al. (2020). Artificial intelligence using convolutional neural networks for real-time detection of early esophageal neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus (with video). Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 91(6), 1264-1271.e1.
Liu, X., et al. (2017). Genetic alterations in esophageal tissues from squamous dysplasia to carcinoma. Gastroenterology, 153(1), 166–177.
Park, J. M., et al. (2017). Longer observation time increases proportion of neoplasms detected by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Gastroenterology, 153(2), 460-469.e1.
Pereira, A. S., Shitsuka, D. M., Parreira, F. J. & Shitsuka, R. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. Editora da UFSM. https://repositorio.ufsm.br/bitstream/handle/1/15824/Lic_Computacao_Metodologia-Pesquisa-Cientifica.pdf?sequence=1.
Risemberg, R. I. C. et al. (2026). A importância da metodologia científica no desenvolvimento de artigos científicos. E-Acadêmica, 7(1), e0171675. https://eacademica.org/eacademica/article/view/675
Robles, L. Y., Singh, S., & Fisichella, P. M. (2015). Emerging enhanced imaging technologies of the esophagus: Spectroscopy, confocal laser endomicroscopy, and optical coherence tomography. Journal of Surgical Research, 195(2), 502–514.
Sheikh, M., et al. (2023). Current status and future prospects for esophageal cancer. Cancers, 15(3), 765.
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, Elsevier. 104(C), 333-9. Doi: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039.
Singhi, A. D., et al. (2015). Undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus: A clinicopathological study of 16 cases. Human Pathology, 46(3), 366–375.
Tang, H., et al. (2023). Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by minimally invasive esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial. Annals of Oncology, 34(2), 163–172.
Tsou, Y.-K., et al. (2016). Endoscopic submucosal dissection of superficial esophageal neoplasms is feasible and not riskier for patients with liver cirrhosis. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 61(12), 3565–3571.
Tsujii, Y., et al. (2015). Clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms: A multicenter retrospective cohort study. Endoscopy, 47(9), 775–783.
Tustumi, F., et al. (2017). Primary neuroendocrine neoplasm of the esophagus – Report of 14 cases from a single institute and review of the literature. Arquivos de Gastroenterologia, 54(1), 4–10.
Uhlenhopp, D. J., et al. (2020). Epidemiology of esophageal cancer: Update in global trends, etiology and risk factors. Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology, 13.
Von Döbeln, G. A., et al. (2018). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for cancer of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction: Long-term results of a randomized clinical trial. Diseases of the Esophagus, 32(2).
Yang, C. S., Chen, X., & Tu, S. (2016). Etiology and prevention of esophageal cancer. Gastrointestinal Tumors, 3(1), 3–16.
Yang, H., et al. (2018). Neoadjuvant chemoradiother
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Miguel Wesley Nogueira Paixão
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
