Ectopic sebaceous glands of the esophagus presenting as sessile polyps

Ectopic sebaceous glands (ESGs) of the esophagus are very rare lesions, typically discovered incidentally during endoscopic examinations [1] [2]. In 1978, Ramakrishnan and Brinker reported the first case of esophageal ESGs identified via endoscopy [3]. Esophageal ESGs were found in 0.05% of asymptomatic subjects in a study involving a population undergoing gastric cancer screening [2]. Most reported patients with esophageal ESGs were either asymptomatic or presented with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD [1] [2] [4]). Endoscopically, esophageal ESGs may appear as yellowish patches, plaques, or elevated lesions of varying sizes [1] [2] [4]. Although esophageal ESGs can be found throughout the esophagus, they were most commonly located in the middle and lower thirds [2] [4]. We report here a new case of esophageal ESGs that presented as multiple sessile polyps, with the diagnosis confirmed by histopathological examination.

A 44-year-old man presented to our institution with worsening symptoms of acid regurgitation following the consumption of a fatty meal and alcohol. His medical history was notable for alcoholic fatty liver disease and GERD. Upper endoscopy revealed a sessile polyp in the middle esophagus ([Video 1] and [Fig. 1]), measuring approximately 0.4 cm in length. The lesion appeared semitransparent, with multiple small whitish pellets along its border. Additional smaller sessile polyps with similar endoscopic features were identified in the lower esophagus ([Fig. 2]). Due to the uncertain nature of the lesions, biopsy specimens were obtained. Histopathological examination revealed polygonal cells with small central nuclei and abundant clear, granular cytoplasm containing foam-like fat droplets, located within relatively normal squamous epithelium and lamina propria ([Fig. 3]). Immunohistochemical staining showed positivity for CK ([Fig. 4]) and p40 ([Fig. 5]), while immunostains for mucin and CD20 were negative. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of ESGs. The patient remained under follow-up at our institution following the upper endoscopy examination.

Download Video

Endoscopic video showing a sessile polyp in the middle esophagus. The polyp appeared semitransparent, with small whitish pellets along its border. Similar sessile polyps were identified in the lower esophagus.Video 1

Fig. 1 Endoscopic view showing a sessile polyp in the middle esophagus. The polyp appeared semitransparent, with multiple small whitish pellets along its border.

Fig. 2 Smaller sessile polyps with similar endoscopic features were identified in the lower esophagus.

Fig. 3 Photomicrograph showing polygonal cells with small central nuclei and abundant clear, granular cytoplasm containing foam-like fat droplets, located within relatively normal squamous epithelium and lamina propria (hematoxylin and eosin, magnification ×100).

Fig. 4 Immunohistochemical staining revealed positivity for CK (magnification ×100).

Fig. 5 Immunohistochemical staining revealed positivity for p40 (magnification ×100).

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AB_2AC_3AH

Contributorsʼ Statement

Kuan-Wei Liu: Data curation, Writing – original draft. Sheng-Lei Yan: Conceptualization, Investigation, Validation, Writing – review & editing.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Hashimoto H, Horiuchi H, Miura S. et al. Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Esophageal Ectopic Sebaceous Glands: Chronological Changes and Immunohistochemical Analysis. Int J Surg Pathol 2021; 29: 378-384
• 2 Park A, Lee JH, Park A. et al. Prevalence rate and clinical characteristics of esophageal ectopic sebaceous glands in asymptomatic health screen examinees. Dis Esophagus 2017; 30: 1-5
• 3 Harada A, Tatsumi Y, Masumoto T. et al. Ectopic sebaceous glands. Gastrointest Endosc 2004; 60: 97
• 4 Chen HF, Lee HC, Liao MK. et al. The clinical and endoscopic features of esophageal ectopic sebaceous glands. Adv Dig Med 2020; 7: 179-187

Publication History

Article published online:
21 October 2025