EpCAM+ cells were detected in 5 of 10 (50.0 %) healthy controls and 22 of 23 (95.7 %) ESCC patients with cell counts (average ± SD) of 2.3 ± 2.5 and 34.0 ± 35.8, respectively (p = 0.011, Fig. 2). Here, EPCAM is linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.