Pathology of the oesophagus and stomach: precursors of malignancy

Incidence rates of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and proximal gastric adenocarcinoma (PGA) have risen in tandem in recent decades. Patients are often diagnosed at advanced stages, resulting in poor prognoses despite aggressive treatment. Cancer screening programs aim to detect early-stage cancer or precancerous conditions, such as dysplasia, in asymptomatic individuals to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality rates. Precursor lesions can potentially transform into malignancy; however, accurate diagnosis is challenging. This article examines the causes, clinical symptoms, pathological characteristics, and diagnostic complexities of precursor lesions for adenocarcinoma in the oesophagus and stomach.