Light micrograph of an esophageal cancer biopsy (thin-section stained at h&e), specifically Infiltrating Keratinizing Well Differentiated Epidermoid Carcinoma. It is a epithelial neoplasic proliferation, constituted by epithelial cell nests, with keratin, and infiltrating in a pattern of solid nests. In the center of these neoplastic epithelial nests there are numerous keratin sheets, some of which become keratin pearls. This indicates a distinct neoplasia of the Keratinizing type. Esophageal cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer. Subtypes: squamous-cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Causes: tobacco, alcohol and Barrett愀 esophagus. Treatment: surgery, laser therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, radiofrequency ablation. The prognosis is, in general, quite poor because most patients are diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease. Field of view size: 500 x 740 痠 (0.020 x 0.029 in)