Non-adenomatous forms of gastro-oesophageal epithelial dysplasia: an under-recognised entity?

Foveolar dysplasia is an uncommon form of dysplasia that is encountered in the stomach and oesophagus in the context of Barrett's oesophagus. Glands displaying foveolar dysplasia also show architectural abnormalities that are similar to those encountered in adenomatous dysplasia. However, from a cytological point of view, foveolar dysplasia glands are lined by low-cuboidal to columnar epithelium, the cytoplasm is often clear with round-to-oval nuclei. Nuclear stratification as seen in adenomatous dysplasia is not common, although there is loss of nuclear polarity, pleomorphism and mitotic activity. It is important to distinguish low-grade foveolar dysplasia from regenerative change.