A Study on Malignant Potency of Human and Experimental Esophageal Caustic Burns with Microphotometry and Analysis of Cell Kinetics

The nuclear DNA content was measured in the cells from resected specimens of 10 patients with esophageal carcinoma, 2 patients with esophageal caustic burns and 10 patients with normal esophagus to investigate the malignant potency of caustic burned esophagus. In addition to the investigation in clinical cases, nuclear DNA content and labelling index were measured in the cells of experimental esophageal lye burns, experimental esophageal carcinomas and normal esophagus. The results were as follows. Mean and mode values of nuclear DNA content of the caustic burn group showed the higher values than those of normal esophagus and the lower values than those of esophageal carcinomas in humans, rats and rabbits (P<0.05). Though pathological findings showed slight atypism in the caustic burn group, definite diagnosis of the carcinoma or carcinoma in situ was not obtained. Labelling index was measured on the cells of esophageal caustic burn group and normal esophagus group. The mean value of each group showed significant difference. Higher value was obtained in the caustic burn group. The findings indicate that the esophageal caustic burn may have malignant potency.