Mucosectomy for high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

Reports on the natural history of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) are sometimes contradictory, but suggest that 10-30% of patients with HGD in Barrett's esophagus (BE) will develop a demonstrable malignancy within five years of the initial diagnosis. Surgery has to be considered the best treatment for HGD or superficial carcinoma, but is contraindicated in patients with severe comorbidities. Non-surgical treatments such as intensive endoscopic surveillance, endoscopic ablative therapies, and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) have been proposed. EMR is a newly developed procedure promising to become a safe and reliable non-operative option for the endoscopic removal of HGD or early cancer within BE. It is important to assess the depth of invasion of the lesion and lymph node involvement before choosing EMR. This technique permits more effective staging of disease obtaining a large sample leading to a precise assessment of the depth of malignant invasion. Complications such as bleeding and perforation may occur, but can be treated endoscopically. Trials are needed to compare endoscopic therapy with surgical resection to establish clear criteria for EMR and ablative therapies.     

Mucosectomy for high‐grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus

Reports on the natural history of high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) are sometimes contradictory, but suggest that 10–30% of patients with HGD in Barrett's esophagus (BE) will develop a demonstrable malignancy within five years of the initial diagnosis. Surgery has to be considered the best treatment for HGD or superficial carcinoma, but is contraindicated in patients with severe comorbidities. Non‐surgical treatments such as intensive endoscopic surveillance, endoscopic ablative therapies, and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) have been proposed. EMR is a newly developed procedure promising to become a safe and reliable non‐operative option for the endoscopic removal of HGD or early cancer within BE. It is important to assess the depth of invasion of the lesion and lymph node involvement before choosing EMR. This technique permits more effective staging of disease obtaining a large sample leading to a precise assessment of the depth of malignant invasion. Complications such as bleeding and perforation may occur, but can be treated endoscopically. Trials are needed to compare endoscopic therapy with surgical resection to establish clear criteria for EMR and ablative therapies.     

Present state and measures of Barrett's cancer in Japan

Barrett's adenocarcinoma is common esophageal cancer in western countries but very rare in Japan. We reviewed 206 cases of Barrett's cancer in Japanese literature that issued from 2000 to 2004. 80% of them were superficial cancer. There was no mucosal Barrett's cancer with lymph nodes metastasis, therefore EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection) method is an appropriate way for mucosal cancer. Barrett's cancer with submucosal invasion occur lymph nodes metastasis, so surgical operation should be applied for deeper invasion to submucosal cancer.     

Endoscopic mucosal resection scissors for the treatment of early gastric cancer

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is currently a common treatment for superficial gastrointestinal tumors. We have developed new EMR scissors for superficial lesions in the esophagus and stomach. These scissors have stainless steel blades with an electrocoagulation device for hemostasis. We report a case in which superficial gastric cancer was treated by means of the EMR scissors. The lesion was removed using the scissors and no major complication was encountered. EMR scissors can be used for endoscopic resection of superficial lesions of the esophagus and stomach.     

Recurrence after endoscopic mucosal resection for superficial esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: We present the results of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for superficial esophageal cancer in patients treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital East since March 1993, and discuss the factors involved in local recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 51 patients with a total of 57 superficial esophageal cancers which were treated by EMR at the National Cancer Center Hospital East between March 1993 and March 1998. EMR was performed with a two-channel fiberscope or with the assistance of the endoscopic esophageal mucosal resection tube. Follow-up examinations by means of endoscopy with iodine staining and biopsy were repeated every 3-6 months. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients had double cancers; 12 had head and neck cancers (HNC), six had stomach cancers, and one had lung cancer. The patients with HNC tended to have multiple iodine-unstained areas, and multiple cancers in the esophagus. Local recurrence was detected in two out of five patients (40%) with multiple esophageal cancers, and in two out of 46 patients (4%) with solitary cancer (P=0.0433). There was no difference in the rate of local recurrence between patients with HNC and those without HNC. Three out of four patients with recurrent cancers were given additional treatment, EMR for two and radiotherapy alone for one; no further recurrence occurred except in the patient who underwent radiotherapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplicity of cancer is a risk factor for local recurrence. Appropriate additional treatment should be indicated for recurrent lesions.     

Endoscopic mucosal resection.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a major advance in endoscopy for treatment of patients with superficial esophageal, gastric, or colonic lesions, providing a nonsurgical treatment option for management of these lesions. With the assistance of endoscopic ultrasonography, it is now possible to obtain an accurate histologic diagnosis, confirm the depth of the lesion, and in many cases resect submucosal tumors. The main goal of EMR using the advances in endosonography is to detect early gastrointestinal cancers and successfully resect them, offering an outpatient, nonsurgical treatment option. Although popular in the Orient, where there is a high incidence of superficial neoplasia, limited data are available on the use of EMR in the United States. Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy nurses and assistants play important roles in successful EMR. This article informs GI staff on the indications for EMR, the procedure and accessories needed, the different resection methods, possible complications, and nursing care.     

Simultaneous multiple early cancers of esophagus and stomach treated by endoscopic mucosal resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been accepted as a completely curative treatment of gastrointestinal mucosal cancers. With advances in diagnostic techniques, the tendency to detect simultaneous multiple primary cancers is increasing. Patients with another cancer coexisting with esophageal cancer have had a poor prognosis, but if both cancers are detected in the early stage, complete treatment consisting only of endoscopic surgery, with a good prognosis, is expected. We describe two cases of simultaneous multiple early cancers of the stomach and esophagus, treated by EMR.     

Early esophageal carcinoma: endoscopic ultrasonography using the sonoprobe

Background: Almost all cases of superficial esophageal carcinoma are curable by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), but a precise diagnosis of the depth of tumor invasion is necessary to assess the indication for EMR. Although endoscopy has a high rate of accuracy for diagnosing the depth of tumor invasion, it depends on the experience of the examiner in interpreting surface information of the lesions. Today, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is one of the most powerful techniques for obtaining objective tomographic images of a tumor. The high-frequency ultrasound probe is appropriate for EUS in cases of superficial esophageal carcinoma because of its excellent near-field resolution that provides precise ultrasound images under direct control of the endoscope. Methods: We performed EUS with the Sonoprobe System in 85 cases of superficial esophageal carcinoma before treatment and evaluated the resected specimens histopathologically. We interpreted the depth of tumor invasion based on our fundamental studies of ultrasonograms taken with a 20-MHz probe. Results: The clinical usefulness of the Sonoprobe with linear and radial scanning modes is due to its capacity to differentiate between mucosal and submucosal carcinoma by means of analyses of the muscularis mucosae. Although a clear assessment of microinvasion and lymphoid hyperplasia surrounding the tumor of interest remains speculative, the diagnostic accuracy rate for 96 lesions of superficial esophageal carcinoma reached 93% in terms of differentiating between mucosal from submucosal carcinoma. Conclusion: EUS with the Sonoprobe can play an important role in the pretreatment diagnosis of superficial esophageal carcinomas.     

Treatment of esophageal and gastric tumors

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has gained increasing popularity in the treatment of esophageal and gastric mucosal cancers in Japan, for complete local resection of the cancer-bearing mucosa. In Western countries, the concept of mucosal cancer and the necessity of treating it are gradually but steadily coming to be accepted. As a treatment for inoperable cases of advanced cancer, on the other hand, intubation with self-expanding metal stents has been widely accepted as a less invasive form of palliation for malignant obstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Tumor ingrowth into the stent can be mechanically avoided by adding a membrane coating to it. In the last two years, applications for therapeutic endoscopy in the treatment of esophageal and gastric tumors have continued to widen.     

Circumferential endoscopic mucosal resection in Barrett's esophagus with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or mucosal cancer. Preliminary results in 21 patients

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Treatment by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been established for early lesions in Barrett's esophagus. However, the remaining Barrett's esophagus epithelium remains at risk of developing further lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of circumferential endoscopic mucosectomy (circumferential EMR)s in removing not only the index lesion (high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or mucosal cancer), but also the remaining Barrett's esophagus epithelium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients were included in the study (11 men, 10 women), who had Barrett's esophagus and either HGIN (n = 12) or mucosal cancer (n = 9). Of the patients, 17/21 were at high surgical risk and five had refused surgery. On the basis of preprocedure endosonography their lesions were classified as T1N0 (n = 19) or T0N0 (n = 2). The lesions and the Barrett's esophagus epithelium were removed by polypectomy after submucosal injection of 10-15 ml of saline; a double-channel endoscope was used in 15/21 cases. Circumferential EMR was performed in two sessions, the lesion and the surrounding half of the circumferential Barrett's esophagus mucosa being removed in the first session. In order to prevent the formation of esophageal stenosis, the second half of the Barrett's esophagus mucosa was resected 1 month later. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 4/21 patients (19 %), consisting of bleeding which was successfully managed by endoscopic hemostasis in all cases. No strictures were observed during follow-up (mean duration 18 months) and endoscopic resection was considered complete in 18/21 patients (86 %). For three patients, histological examination showed incomplete removal of tumor: one of these underwent surgery; two received chemoradiotherapy, and showed no evidence of residual tumor at 18 months' and 24 months' follow-up, respectively. Two patients in whom resection was initially classified as complete later presented with local recurrence and were treated again by EMR. Barrett's esophagus mucosa was completely replaced by squamous cell epithelium in 15/20 patients (75 %). CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential EMR is a noninvasive treatment of Barrett's esophagus with HGIN or mucosal cancer, with a low complication rate and good short-term clinical efficacy. Further studies should focus on long-term results and on technical improvements.     

Photodynamic therapy and endoscopic mucosal resection for Barrett's dysplasia and early esophageal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic ablation with porfimer sodium photodynamic therapy (PDT) have recently been combined to improve the accuracy of histologic staging and remove superficial carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia were evaluated with computed tomography and endosonography. Patients with nodular or irregular folds underwent EMR followed by PDT. RESULTS: In three patients, endoscopic mucosal resection upstaged the diagnosis to mucosal adenocarcinoma (T1N0M0). PDT successfully ablated the remaining glandular mucosa. Complications were limited to transient chest discomfort and odynophagia. CONCLUSIONS: The use of EMR resection in Barrett's high-grade dysplasia patients with mucosal irregularities resulted in histologic upstaging to mucosal adenocarcinoma, requiring higher laser light doses for PDT. PDT after EMR appears to be safe and effective for the complete elimination of Barrett's mucosal adenocarcinoma. EMR should be strongly considered for Barrett's dysplasia patients being evaluated for endoscopic ablation therapy.     

What are the findings of esophageal cancer to be treated endoscopically?

In Japan, the results of histopathologic analyses on esophageal carcinomas have shown that almost all of them are squamous epithelial cancers. The abnormal epithelium that is difficult to differentiate by endoscopy can be easily visualized by chromoendoscopy with the use of iodine staining. Since the establishment of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), it has been used increasingly to treat mucosal cancers. It is necessary to diagnose accurately the depth of invasion of mucosal cancer when it is to be treated by EMR. In this article, we explain our routine techniques to visualize and interpret the lesions that are candidates for EMR. It is of great benefit to detect lesions at their early stage, which leads to the most desirable endoscopic treatment.     

内镜套帽法治疗食管早期癌及癌前病变

目的　探讨内镜套帽法切除食管早期癌及癌前病变的应用价值。方法　采用套帽法切除食管早期癌及癌前病变 5 7例 ,其中食管早期癌 33例 ,癌前病变 2 4例 ;全组术前和术后均经病理证实。结果　 5 7例中完全切除 4 8例 (84 .2 % ) ,不完全切除 9例中 1例改手术治疗 ,1例放射治疗 ,余行微波或氩离子凝固治疗 ;重度不典型增生灶 2 1例中 ,术后病理灶性癌变 6例 (2 8.6 % ) ;中度不典型增生灶 10例 ,术后重度不典型增生 2例 (2 0 .0 % ) ,灶性癌变 1例(10 .0 % ) ;1例术中出血 ,无穿孔、狭窄发生 ;随访 5年以上 12例 ,>3～ 5年 11例 ,1～ 3年 2 3例 ,不足 1年 11例 ,1例术后复发 ,非癌死亡 3例。结论　套帽法完全切除率较高 ,操作较简单 ,优于其他方法 ;病灶显示及切除技巧是影响完全切除的主要因素 ;中度不典型增生短期复查无好转和重度不典型增生 ,应采用内镜治疗 ;内镜黏膜切除治疗在食管癌防治策略中具有重要价值和意义     

Évolution favorable à long terme des patients traités par résection muqueuse endoscopique pour une dysplasie de haut grade ou un cancer épidermoïde superficiel de l’œsophage

Introduction

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a curative treatment of early squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, long-term outcome, and survival of EMR.

Patients and methods

Forty-four patients were treated by EMR between February 1998 and October 2005 for an early SCC of the esophagus. The technique of EMR was carried out by suction and section with cap or traction and section, or by the combination of both.

Results

Forty-four patients had endoscopic treatment with resection of 49 early SCC. They were all of T1N0 stage as found by standard endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). No major complications occurred. The median endoscopic follow-up was 44 months. A curative resection (T1m1, T1m2) was achieved in 68% of cases without recurrence. Among patients with T2 lesion (16%), 6 had a radio-chemotherapy and only 1 patient died because of the metastatic evolution of esophageal cancer. The remaining 2 left patients had a complementary esophagectomy, among whom 1 died after recurrence. Eight patients had a histologically significant risk of nodes invasion (2 m3, 3 sm1, 2 sm2, and 1 sm3), and 6 had a complementary radio-chemotherapy without recurrence in the follow-up.

Conclusion

SCC of the esophagus shown usT1N0 in EUS can be treated curatively by endoscopic mucosal resection with a high rate of resecability (98%) and an acceptable complication rate. In the subgroup of 12 patients (m3 sm1, sm2, sm3 and T2) that were treated by complementary radiochemotherapy, the 5-year overall survival was 91%.     

Treatment of esophageal and gastric tumors

In the diagnosis of early cancer, there are differences in the pathological criteria used by Western and Asian (Japanese) pathologists. The Vienna classification advocated by pathologists offers standard pathological criteria common to all endoscopists, and it has clarified the indications for the treatment of superficial lesions, including high-grade dysplasia and mucosal cancer. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is increasingly being used in the treatment of early cancer. Experience with EMR in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus with cancer has been reported, and the preliminary results are encouraging. Some technical variations and improvements in EMR procedures have been described. As an injection agent, the use of mucinous substances such as sodium hyaluronate has been reported. A cutting knife with an insulated tip has been designed, making the use of the precutting technique much safer. Studies have been conducted comparing the freehand technique with the cap technique for EMR, and it was found that the cap technique is generally better. Ablative treatment has also been used in many cases, with satisfactory results. In advanced cancer, self-expanding metallic stents have been used for palliative treatment, with generally satisfactory results. The range of applications for therapeutic endoscopy has continued to expand during the last two years in the treatment of esophageal and gastric tumors.     

Indications, Knives, and Electric Current: What's the Best?

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was developed to overcome the limitations of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), and ESD has been also applied for large colorectal neoplasms. Since colorectal ESD is still associated with higher perforation rate, a longer procedure time, and increased technical difficulty, the indications should be strictly considered. Generally, colorectal tumors without deep submucosal invasion or minimal possibility of lymph node metastasis, for which en bloc resection using conventional EMR is difficult, are good candidates for colorectal ESD. The ideal knife for colorectal ESD should avoid making perforations but can make a clean cut of optimal depth at one time. The ideal current for ESD differs depending on the procedure used, the surgical devices used, the tissue to be dissected, and the operator's preference. Application of the optimal indications and improvements in the technical skill and surgical devices are required for easier and safer colorectal ESD.     

Risk factors for local recurrence of superficial esophageal cancer after treatment by endoscopic mucosal resection

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: The aim of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for local recurrence after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) treatment for superficial esophageal cancer (SEC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical course of 62 patients with 64 SECs that were treated by EMR between 1993 and 2004. Follow-up examinations by chromoscopy with iodine solution and biopsy were performed 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and then annually after EMR. Local recurrence was defined as a histologically confirmed finding of cancer cells at the site of the preceding EMR. The contributions of lesion-related and procedure-related factors to local recurrence were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Local recurrence was detected in 14/64 SECs 3-36 months after EMR. Of the lesion-related factors we assessed, local recurrence was found to be more frequent in SECs with a larger diameter (P = 0.01), larger circumferential spread (P = 0.04), or deeper invasion (P = 0.04), although the last two factors failed to demonstrate statistical significance after correction for multiple testing. Piecemeal resection did not increase the risk of local recurrence (P = 0.11), but the need for adjunctive coagulation therapy was found to increase the risk of local recurrence (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Larger SECs are associated with a higher risk of local recurrence after EMR. In patients with residual lesions, coagulation therapy does not seem to be adequate as additional endoscopic treatment.     

Endoscopic mucosal resection: treatment of neoplasia

Techniques of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) can dramatically improve the ability to diagnose and treat superficial lesions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Early cancers, submucosal tumors, and sessile polyps can be safely and completely removed in a single procedure, with long-term outcome results comparable to surgery. This is accomplished with a minimum cost, morbidity, and mortality and with little or no impact on the quality of life of patients. This article provides an overview of the techniques, indications, and outcomes of EMR in the management of GI malignancy.     

Treatment of esophagogastric tumors

Palliative endoscopic treatment of esophagogastric cancer is now possible using expandable metal stents. The properties, advantages, and drawbacks of these stents have been extensively analyzed, and there is no doubt that they are now easy and safe to introduce, without serious morbidity. However, the frequency of persistent thoracic pain and delayed complications, as well as the high rate of repeat interventions required, justify limited use of the procedure. The major indication for the procedure is dysphagia due to cancer in the esophagus or at the cardia. Enteral stents have been used in the treatment of malignant duodenal or jejunal stenoses, but the results are poor. A promising new area is the treatment of benign stenoses using expandable and biodegradable stents. It may be possible to use this technique for surgical anastomoses after tumor resection. Careful endoscopic analysis of the mucosal surface is necessary to establish the strict indications for endoscopic mucosal resection for mucosal malignancy. Biopsy evidence of the relation between lesion diameter, a depressed surface pattern and the depth of invasion into the submucosa, as well as the extent of regional or distant lymphatic invasion, provides the best guidelines for safe curative mucosectomy in gastric cancer. Endoscopic therapy is always safe in lesions less than 1cm in diameter; for other lesions, resection is safe when the depth of submucosal invasions is less than 300 microm. In other situations, surgery is preferable in patients who are otherwise in good health. In Japan, the results of the National Survey of Gastric Cancer, with cases detected by screening, confirmed the benefits of adherence to these guidelines; most patients were treated surgically, and only 7% with endoscopic therapy.     

Expansion of the indications for endoscopic mucosal resection in patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive local treatment for superficial esophageal carcinoma (SEC). The use of EMR in patients with m3 or sm1 SEC remains controversial, however. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the histopathological risk factors for lymph-node metastasis and recurrence in patients with m3 or sm1 SEC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study subjects were 43 patients with m3 or sm1 esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas: 23 patients were treated surgically (the surgery group), and 20 were treated by EMR (the EMR group). We assessed the following variables of the specimens resected by surgery or EMR: tumor depth, maximal surface diameter of the tumor (superficial size), maximum diameter of tumor invasion at the lamina muscularis mucosae (LMM invasion width), and lymphatic invasion. The relationships of these variables to lymph-node metastasis and recurrence were examined. RESULTS: In the surgery group, lymph-node metastasis was found in four patients, all of whom had tumors with lymphatic invasion, a superficial size of at least 25 mm, and an LMM invasion width of at least 2500 microm. In the EMR group, no patient met all three of these criteria, and there was no evidence of lymph-node metastasis or distant metastasis on follow-up after EMR (median follow-up 39 months). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with m3 or sm1 SEC, tumors that have lymphatic invasion, larger superficial size, and wider LMM invasion are associated with a high risk for lymph-node metastasis. EMR might be indicated for the treatment of patients with m3 or sm1 SECs without these characteristics.