Abstract
Cancer of the digestive tract is a major cause of cancer-associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. Secondary prevention and treatment of early lesions is extremely important because the etiology of gastrointestinal cancer remains largely unknown. Precursor lesions can be identified with imaging techniques and histology. The macroscopic pattern seen during endoscopy includes polyps and non-polypoid lesions. The microscopic epithelial alterations of the precursor lesions include cytological and architectural abnormalities formerly called “dysplasia”. Recently, “dysplasia” has been replaced by “intraepithelial neoplasia”. Although intraepithelial or non-invasive neoplasia forms a spectrum, reflecting underlying genetic abnormalities, the lesion is usually graded according to the degree of severity. Follow up and treatment strategies are planned accordingly. It has been recognised also that “hyperplastic polyps”, which do not necessarily show the features of intraepithelial neoplasia are in fact a heterogeneous group and some of these have neoplastic potential. The definition of malignancy and the microscopic features used for the identification of cancer are not universally uniform. Therefore, comparison of articles from different continents is not always possible. In order to avoid confusion, new terminologies and definitions have been proposed and are currently introduced. The purpose of this minireview is to describe the most recent terminologies and definitions, which can be correlated with treatment strategies.
Keywords: polyp, adenoma, dysplasia, intraepithelial neoplasia, malignancy, digestive tract
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews
Title: Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Dysplasia and Early Cancer of the Digestive Tract: Modifications in Terminology
Volume: 1 Issue: 2
Author(s): Karel Geboes, Nadine Ectors, Karen Geboes and Rene Lambert
Affiliation:
Keywords: polyp, adenoma, dysplasia, intraepithelial neoplasia, malignancy, digestive tract
Abstract: Cancer of the digestive tract is a major cause of cancer-associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. Secondary prevention and treatment of early lesions is extremely important because the etiology of gastrointestinal cancer remains largely unknown. Precursor lesions can be identified with imaging techniques and histology. The macroscopic pattern seen during endoscopy includes polyps and non-polypoid lesions. The microscopic epithelial alterations of the precursor lesions include cytological and architectural abnormalities formerly called “dysplasia”. Recently, “dysplasia” has been replaced by “intraepithelial neoplasia”. Although intraepithelial or non-invasive neoplasia forms a spectrum, reflecting underlying genetic abnormalities, the lesion is usually graded according to the degree of severity. Follow up and treatment strategies are planned accordingly. It has been recognised also that “hyperplastic polyps”, which do not necessarily show the features of intraepithelial neoplasia are in fact a heterogeneous group and some of these have neoplastic potential. The definition of malignancy and the microscopic features used for the identification of cancer are not universally uniform. Therefore, comparison of articles from different continents is not always possible. In order to avoid confusion, new terminologies and definitions have been proposed and are currently introduced. The purpose of this minireview is to describe the most recent terminologies and definitions, which can be correlated with treatment strategies.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Geboes Karel, Ectors Nadine, Geboes Karen and Lambert Rene, Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Dysplasia and Early Cancer of the Digestive Tract: Modifications in Terminology, Current Cancer Therapy Reviews 2005; 1 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573394054021763
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573394054021763 |
Print ISSN 1573-3947 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6301 |
Related Books

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in the Different Stages of Alzheimers Disease Pathology
Current Pharmaceutical Design Valproic Acid in the Complex Therapy of Malignant Tumors
Current Drug Targets Pathophysiology of Diabetic Dyslipidaemia
Current Vascular Pharmacology Sanguinarine: A Double-Edged Sword of Anticancer and Carcinogenesis and Its Future Application Prospect
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Zinc-Permeable Ion Channels: Effects on Intracellular Zinc Dynamics and Potential Physiological/Pathophysiological Significance
Current Medicinal Chemistry Adhesion Molecules in Lung Cancer: Implications in the Pathogenesis and Management
Current Pharmaceutical Design Immunomodulation and Anti-inflammatory Roles of Polyphenols as Anticancer Agents
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Proteomics Approach to Illustrate Drug Action Mechanisms
Current Drug Discovery Technologies N6-Methyladenosine-Related RNA Signature Predicting the Prognosis of Ovarian Cancer
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Natural Fused Heterocyclic Flavonoids: Potent Candidates as Anti- Inflammatory and Anti-Allergic Agents in the Treatment of Asthma
Current Bioactive Compounds Antioxidant Properties and Associated Mechanisms of Salicylates
Current Medicinal Chemistry New Drug Delivery Systems in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: MMX™ and Tailored Delivery to the Gut
Current Medicinal Chemistry Thyroid Hormone Treatment for Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: What Drug, How Long, What Dose?
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews The potential for circulating microRNAs in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction: a novel approach to disease diagnosis and treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Design Improving the Efficiency and Safety of Aspirin by Complexation with the Natural Polysaccharide Arabinogalactan
Current Drug Delivery Triggering PIK3CA Mutations in PI3K/Akt/mTOR Axis: Exploration of Newer Inhibitors and Rational Preventive Strategies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Nanotechnology: A Novel Approach for Drug Development in Health Care System
Current Nanomaterials Unusual Food Allergy: AlioideaAllergic Reactions Overview
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Mucoadhesive Polymeric Platform for Drug Delivery; A Comprehensive Review
Current Drug Delivery Research Toward Potassium Channels on Tumor Progression
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry