Imaging in Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Imaging and Theranostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 2287

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of General Surgery, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 12000, Israel
Interests: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); FDG-PET/CT

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled "Imaging in Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer", emphasizes the diagnostic capabilities of various imaging modalities in detecting and staging esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). It showcases the latest research advancements in the field, emphasizing the crucial role of imaging in the early detection, precise localization, and accurate staging of this aggressive malignancy. The articles delve into the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of techniques, such as high-resolution computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine-needle aspiration, and positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT), in identifying tumor extent, assessing lymph node involvement, and detecting distant metastases. This Special Issue also explores the emerging role of advanced imaging techniques, including diffusion-weighted MRI and functional imaging methods, in providing additional diagnostic information that can guide personalized treatment planning. Overall, this Special Issue highlights the importance of comprehensive imaging strategies for optimizing the diagnosis and subsequent management of ESCC patients.

Dr. Gad Marom
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)
  • FDG-PET/CT
  • tumor detection
  • diagnosis

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

10 pages, 562 KB  
Article
PET/CT and MR Improve Interobserver Agreement in Primary Tumor Determination for Radiotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer
by Ajra Secerov-Ermenc, Primoz Peterlin, Vaneja Velenik, Ana Jeromen-Peressutti, Jasna But-Hadzic, Franc Anderluh and Barbara Segedin
Diagnostics 2025, 15(6), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15060690 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1055
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate interobserver variability in the determination of the primary tumor for radiotherapy treatment planning in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Sixteen patients with locally advanced ESCC were included in the analysis. In [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate interobserver variability in the determination of the primary tumor for radiotherapy treatment planning in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Sixteen patients with locally advanced ESCC were included in the analysis. In all patients positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PETC/CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) scans for radiotherapy planning were performed. Five experienced radiation oncologists delineated the primary tumor based on CT alone, MR alone, PET/CT, CT with fused MR and PET/CT with fused MR. Mean tumor volumes were calculated for each patient and imaging modality. The generalized conformity index (CIgen) was calculated to assess agreement in tumor determination. Results: The mean tumor volumes and CIgen for CT alone, MR alone, PET/CT, CT with fused MR and PET/CT with fused MR were 33.1 cm3, 30.2 cm3, 38.1 cm3, 31.9 cm3, 36.2 cm3 and 0.59, 0.64, 0.66, 0.63, 0.71, respectively. CIgen was significantly higher using PET/CT with fused MR compared to CT (p < 0.001) and PET/CT (p = 0.002) and using PET/CT compared to CT (alone) (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Our study showed higher agreement in primary tumor determination in ESCC using PET/CT compared to CT alone. Higher agreement was also found using PET/CT with fused MR compared to CT alone and PET/CT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging in Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 970 KB  
Review
Endoscopic Ultrasound in Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer: From Staging to Strategy—A Narrative Review
by Francesca Lusetti, Roberta Muscia, Ermelinda D’Alessandro, Giuseppe Fierro, Gianpiero Manes and Germana de Nucci
Diagnostics 2025, 15(22), 2867; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15222867 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 696
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains a major global health challenge due to its aggressive nature and frequent late-stage diagnosis. Accurate locoregional staging is critical for guiding appropriate therapy, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has emerged as the preferred modality for assessing tumor depth [...] Read more.
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains a major global health challenge due to its aggressive nature and frequent late-stage diagnosis. Accurate locoregional staging is critical for guiding appropriate therapy, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has emerged as the preferred modality for assessing tumor depth and regional lymph node involvement. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of EUS in the management of ESCC, from initial staging to post-treatment assessment. We discuss its strengths and limitations, particularly in differentiating early-stage disease and in restaging after neoadjuvant therapy. The importance of a multimodal approach—integrating EUS with computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and histologic sampling—is emphasized to improve diagnostic precision. We also explore emerging techniques, such as contrast-enhanced EUS, elastography, and novel therapeutic strategies including immune checkpoint inhibitors and endoscopic mucosal resurfacing. While EUS remains a cornerstone in the management of ESCC, ongoing innovation and integration with personalized medicine are expected to further enhance its clinical impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging in Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop