Although the difference in the level of EpCAM+ cells in relation to tumor histopathology was not significant (p = 0.19), we observed a trend toward higher numbers of positive cells in cases of adenocarcinoma, and the median value of EpCAM+ cells was 24 % in adenocarcinoma vs. 1.5 % in squamous cell carcinoma. This evidence concerns the gene EPCAM and adenocarcinoma.