Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): French intergroup clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis,treatments and follow-up (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO,SFR)

IntroductionThis document is a summary of the French intergroup guidelines regarding the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) published in January 2019, and available on the French Society of Gastroenterology website (SNFGE) (www.tncd.org).MethodsThis collaborative work was realized by all French medical and surgical societies involved in the management of mCRC. Recommendations are graded in three categories (A, B and C), according to the level of evidence found in the literature, up until December 2018.ResultsThe management of metastatic colorectal cancer has become complex because of increasing available medical, radiological and surgical treatments alone or in combination. The therapeutic strategy should be defined before the first-line treatment, mostly depending on the presentation of the disease (resectability of the metastases, symptomatic and/or threatening disease), of the patient’s condition (ECOG PS, comorbidities), and tumor biology (RAS, BRAF, MSI). The sequence of targeted therapies also seems to have an impact on the outcome (angiogenesis inhibition beyond progression). Surgical resection of metastases was the only curative intent treatment to date, joined recently by percutaneous tumor ablation tools (radiofrequency, microwave). Localized therapies such as hepatic intra-arterial infusion, radioembolization and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, also have seen their indications specified (liver-dominant disease and resectable peritoneal carcinomatosis). New treatments have been developed in heavily pretreated patients, increasing overall survival and preserving quality of life (regorafenib and trifluridine/tipiracil). Finally, immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated high efficacy in MSI mCRC.ConclusionFrench guidelines for mCRC management are put together to help offer the best personalized therapeutic strategy in daily clinical practice, as the mCRC therapeutic landscape is complexifying. These recommendations are permanently being reviewed and updated. Each individual case must be discussed within a multidisciplinary team (MDT).     

Appendiceal tumors and pseudomyxoma peritonei: French Intergroup Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis,treatments and follow-up (RENAPE,RENAPATH, SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO,ACHBT, SFR)

IntroductionThis document is a summary of the French Intergroup guidelines regarding the management of appendicular epithelial tumors (AT) and pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) published in March 2020, available on the website of the French Society of Gastroenterology (SNFGE) (www.tncd.org).MethodsAll French medical societies specialized in the management of AT and PMP collaboratively established these recommendations based on literature until December 2019 and the results of a Delphi vote carried out by the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International experts, and graded into 4 categories (A, B, C, Expert Agreement) according to their level of evidence.ResultsAT and PMP are rare but represent a wide range of clinico-pathological entities with several pathological classification systems and different biological behaviors. Their treatment modalities may vary accordingly and range from simple surveillance or laparoscopic appendectomy to complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and / or systemic chemotherapy. The prognosis of these neoplasms may also largely vary according to their pathological grade and spreading at diagnosis or during the follow-up. Given the rarity of certain situations, the therapeutic strategy adapted to each patient, must be discussed in a specialized multidisciplinary meeting after a specialized pathological and radiological pre-therapeutic assessment and a clinical examination by a surgeon specializing in the management of rare peritoneal malignancies.ConclusionThese recommendations are proposed to achieve the most beneficial strategy in a daily practice as the wide range and the rareness of these entities renders their management challenging. These guidelines are permanently being reviewed.     

Desmoid tumors located in the abdomen or associated with adenomatous polyposis: French intergroup clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis,treatment, and follow-up (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO,ACHBT, SFR)

IntroductionDesmoid tumor (DT) of the abdomen is a challenging and rare disease. The level of evidence available to document their treatment is relatively low, however, recent publications of prospective studies have allowed to precise their management.MethodsThis document is a summary of the French intergroup guidelines realized by all French medical and surgical societies involved in the management of DT located in the abdomen or associated with adenomatous polyposis. Recommendations are graded in four categories (A, B, C and D), according to the level of evidence found in the literature until January 2021.ResultsWhen the diagnosis of DT is suspected a percutaneous biopsy should be performed when possible. A molecular analysis looking for pathogenic mutations of the CTNNB1 and APC genes should be systematically performed. When a somatic pathogenic variant of the APC gene is present, an intestinal polyposis should be searched. Due to a high rate of spontaneous regression, non-complicated DT should first benefit from an active surveillance with MRI within 2 months after diagnosis to assess the dynamic of tumor growth. The treatment decision must be discussed in an expert center, favoring the less toxic treatments which can include broad spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor or conventional chemotherapy (methotrexate-vinblastine). Surgery, outside the context of emergency, should only be considered for favorable location in an expert center.ConclusionFrench guidelines for DT management were elaborated to help offering the best personalized therapeutic strategy in daily clinical practice as the DT therapeutic landscape is complexifying. Each individual case must be discussed within a multidisciplinary expert team.     

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A single-center 20-year experience with 100 patients

Background/ObjectivesPancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors, exhibiting several morphological, functional, and behavioral characteristics. However, only few reports have evaluated large case series of pancreatic NEN.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients with pancreatic NEN diagnosed pathologically and treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital between 1991 and 2010.ResultsThe study included 48 males and 52 females (median age: 55 years). Fourteen patients had clinical symptoms caused by excess hormone secretion at diagnosis. Twelve patients were diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G1, 54 with NET G2, and 32 with neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) as per the 2010 World Health Organization classification. Distant metastases were observed in 25%, 43%, and 84% of the patients with NET G1, NET G2, and NEC, respectively. Serum levels of neuron-specific enolase and lactate dehydrogenase significantly increased in patients with NEC compared with those in patients with NET G1/G2. The 5-year survival rates of patients with NET G1, NET G2, and NEC were 91%, 69%, and 10%, respectively. Good performance status (PS), lower stage, and histopathological grade were identified as independent favorable prognostic factors.ConclusionsPatients with NET G1/G2 treated with surgical resection had a good prognosis. Most patients with NEC exhibited distant metastases and had a poor prognosis. Staging classification and the WHO 2010 grading are important factors for selecting the appropriate treatment strategy and predicting prognosis for patients with pancreatic NEN.     

Treatment of anal fissures: Results from a national survey on French practice

BackgroundTreatment of an anal fissure (AF) is based on medical treatment (nonoperative therapies) and surgical procedures. However, the choice of treatment and its role in therapeutic strategy vary from one country to another, and to date, no standard French recommendation is currently available. Our aim was to assess French practices in the treatment of AFs.MethodsA national survey of members of the French National Society of Colo-Proctology (SNFCP) was carried out using an online questionnaire (1) to evaluate French practice and (2) to compare them with guidelines of other societies.ResultsTwo hundred responses were obtained among the 300 registered members, representing a participation rate of 67%. Members of the SNFCP agree with all scientific societies on the importance of first-line medical treatment, with surgery proposed as a second-line treatment in the case of the failure of well-conducted medical treatment. However, calcium channel blockers and topical nitrates as first-line treatment are rarely prescribed in France. Priority is therefore given to “simple” topical healing products and oral analgesics on demand. Similarly, surgical management differs since LIS is the “gold standard” in most guidelines, whereas in France, despite the data in the literature, fissurectomy is the first-line treatment.ConclusionsOur study indicated the fissure treatment discrepancies of France with other countries concerning the usage of topical treatments and the choice of first-line surgical treatments that is currently considered a “French exception".     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs): French Intergroup Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis,treatments and follow-up (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO)

BackgroundThis document is a summary of the French Intergroup guidelines regarding the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) updated in December 2018.DesignThis collaborative work summarizes clinical practice recommendations (guidelines) on the management of GISTs. It is based on recent literature review, ESMO recommendations and expert opinions.ResultsThe diagnosis of GIST is based on histological examination and immunohistochemistry with markers KIT and DOG-1. Each case must be discussed within a multidisciplinary team. Complete surgical resection tumour, avoiding peroperative perforation, is the potentially curative treatment of localized GISTs. The estimation of the recurrence risk is essential, or adjuvant treatment,and follow-up adaptation. Genotyping (KIT and PDGFRA) of all but very low-risk GISTs is recommended. The nature of mutation has a prognostic value and predictive influence on drug efficacy. Imatinib, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, is the standard adjuvant treatment after R0 resection of a GIST with a high risk of recurrence, and the first line therapy for advanced GISTs. Suninitib and regorafenib are respectively the second- and third-line standard treatments for advanced GISTs.ConclusionGuidelines for management of GISTs are continuously evolving and need to be regularly updated. This constant progress is made possible through clinical and translational research.     

Gastrointestinal lymphomas: French Intergroup clinical practice recommendations for diagnosis,treatment and follow-up (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO,SFH)

IntroductionThis document is a summary of the French Intergroup guidelines on the management of gastro-intestinal lymphomas, available on the web-site of the French Society of Gastroenterology, SNFGE (www.tncd.org), updated in September 2017.MethodsThis collaborative work was realised under the auspices of several French medical societies and involved clinicians with specific expertise in the field of gastrointestinal lymphomas, including gastroenterologists, haematologists, pathologists, and radiation oncologist, representing the major French or European clinical trial groups. It summarises their consensus on the management of gastrointestinal lymphomas, based on the recent literature data, previous published guidelines and the expert opinions.ResultsThe clinical management, and especially the therapeutic strategies of the gastro-intestinal lymphomas are specific to their histological subtypes and to their locations in the digestive tract, with the particularity of gastric MALT lymphomas which are the most frequent and usually related to gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori.ConclusionLymphomas are much less common than epithelial tumours of gastro-intestinal digestive tract. Their different histological subtypes determine their management and prognosis. Each individual case should be discussed within the expert multidisciplinary team.     

Anal cancer: French Intergroup Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis,treatment and follow-up (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO,SNFCP)

IntroductionThis document is a summary of the French Intergroup guidelines regarding the management of anal carcinomas, published in November 2016.MethodsIt is a collaborative work produced under the auspices of the majority of the French medical societies involved in the management of anal cancer. It is based on the previous guidelines published in 2010. Recommendations are graded in three categories, according to the amount of evidence found in the literature.ResultsNon-metastatic anal carcinomas can be divided into two risk groups, according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or endorectal-ultrasonograpy. Localized small cancers (T1N0) are mainly treated by exclusive radiation therapy in the case of cancers of the anal canal, or by surgery in the case of cancers of the anal margin. The recommended treatment of locally advanced tumours (T2-T4, N0-N2) is definitive concomitant radio-chemotherapy. Salvage surgery should be reserved for patients with poor response, tumour progression or local relapse after radio-chemotherapy, or in cases of persistent vaginal fistula or total anal incontinence after the cessation of radio-chemotherapy. In the case of metastatic tumours, current therapeutic recommendations are based on less robust evidence; with chemotherapy playing a major role.ConclusionThese recommendations are permanently being reviewed, and each individual case must be discussed inside a multidisciplinary team.     

Rectal cancer: French Intergroup clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis,treatments and follow-up (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO)

IntroductionThis document is a summary of the French Intergroup guidelines regarding the management of rectal adenocarcinoma published in February 2016.MethodThis collaborative work, under the auspices of most of the French medical societies involved in the management of rectal cancer, is based on the previous guidelines published in 2013. Recommendations are graded into 3 categories according to the level of evidence of data found in the literature.ResultsIn agreement with the ESMO guidelines (2013), non-metastatic rectal cancers have been stratified in 4 risk groups according to endoscopy, MRI or endorectal-ultrasonography. Locally-advanced tumors are limited to groups 3 and 4 (T3 ≥4 cm or T3c–d or N1-2 or T4). These tumors are usually treated using neoadjuvant treatment and total proctectomy (TME). Adjuvant treatment depends on the pathological findings. Very early (group 1) or early (group 2) tumors are managed mainly by surgery, and organ preservation may be an option in selected cases. For metastatic tumors, the recommendations are based on less robust evidence and chemotherapy plays a major role.ConclusionSuch recommendations are constantly being optimized and each individual case must be discussed within a Multi-Disciplinary Team.     

Diagnostic accuracy and clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography (PET-CT)-positive mediastinal lymphadenopathies in patients with thoracic or extra-thoracic malignancies

BackgroundThe high sensitivity of PET-CT can identify hypermetabolic mediastinal adenopathies during cancer management, but specificity is low and a biopsy is sometimes required to eliminate benign adenopathies.MethodsThis prospective diagnostic accuracy study included patients with hypermetabolic mediastinal lymphadenopathies revealed on PET-CT during either the initial management of a cancer, treatment evaluation, or monitoring. All patients underwent EUS-FNA. Diagnoses of malignancy based on cytological analysis following EUS-FNA were compared with clinical and radiological follow-up information. The treatment strategy decided before the results of the EUS-FNA pathology reports (Multidisciplinary Team Meeting [MTM-1]) was recorded and compared to the treatment strategy decided once pathological data from EUS-FNA were available (MTM-2).Main findingsBetween 2013 and 2018, 75 patients were included with 47 eligible and evaluable patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of EUS-FNA were 93%, 100%, 100% and 90%, respectively. The concordance value between the therapeutic strategies determined for MTM-1 and MTM-2 was 44.7%. There were no significant differences in the intensity of fixation on PET-CT between malignant and benign lesions.ConclusionThe diagnostic accuracy of the minimally invasive EUS-FNA procedure is sufficiently robust to avoid the need for diagnostic surgery. The combination of PET-CT and EUS-FNA may alter the therapeutic strategy that would be considered after PET-CT alone.REGISTRATIONNCT01892501     

Small bowel adenocarcinoma: French intergroup clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis,treatments and follow-up (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO)

BackgroundThis document is a summary of the French intergroup guidelines regarding the management of small bowel adenocarcinoma published in October 2016.MethodThis collaborative work, co-directed by most French Medical Societies, summarizes clinical practice recommendations (guidelines) on the management of small bowel adenocarcinoma. Given the lack of specific data in the literature, all references are given by analogy with colon cancer. The classification used is the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) pTNM classification (7th edition 2009).ResultsSmall bowel adenocarcinoma has a poor prognosis; less than 30% of patients survive for 5 years after the (first) diagnosis (5-year survival of less than 30%). Due to the rarity of the disease and the retrospective data, most recommendations are based on expert agreement. The initial evaluation is based on chest-abdomen-pelvis CT scan, CEA assay, GI endoscopy and colonoscopy in order detect lesions associated with a predisposing disease. Surgical treatment is currently the only curative option for stage I and II. Adjuvant chemotherapy can be discussed for Stage III and Stage II with T4 (expert agreement). With regard to metastatic tumors, treatment with fluoropyrimidine combined with platinum salts should be considered (expert agreement).ConclusionFew specific data exist in the literature on this type of tumor; most of the recommendations come from expert agreements or by analogy with colon cancer. Thus, each case must be discussed within a multidisciplinary team.     

Gastric cancer: French intergroup clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis,treatments and follow-up (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO)

IntroductionThis document is a summary of the French Intergroup guidelines regarding the management of gastric cancer published in October 2016, available on the website of the French Society of Gastroenterology (SNFGE) (www.tncd.org), updated in October 2017.MethodsThis collaborative work was realized under the auspices of several French medical societies involved in management of gastric cancer. Recommendations are graded in three categories (A–C), according to the amount of evidence found in the literature until July 2017.ResultsThere are several known risk factors for gastric cancer, including Helicobacter pylori and genetic predispositions, both requiring a specific screening for patients and their relatives. The diagnosis and staging evaluation are essentially based on gastroscopy plus biopsies and computed tomography scan. The endoscopic ultrasonography can be used for superficial tumors in case of discussion for endoscopic resection (T1N0). For local disease (N+ and/or T > T1), the strategic therapy is based on surgery associated with perioperative chemotherapy. In the absence of preoperative treatment (for any raison), the postoperative chemoradiotherapy (or chemotherapy) should be discussed for patients with stage II or III tumor. For metastatic disease, the treatment is based on “palliative” chemotherapy consisting in a doublet or triplet regimens depending of age, performance status and HER2 tumor status. For patients with limited metastatic disease, surgical resection could be discussed in multidisciplinary meeting in case of stable disease after chemotherapy.ConclusionThese guidelines in gastric cancer are done to help decision for daily clinical practice. These recommendations are permanently being reviewed. Each individual case must be discussed within a multidisciplinary team.     

Occurrence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors treated with somatostatin analogs

BackgroundAlthough exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) has been described in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) treated with somatostatin analogs (SSAs), its role in the therapeutic management of these patients is not well established.AimTo determine the frequency of EPI in patients with NEN long-term treated with SSAs.MethodsThis is a prospective single-center study evaluating 35 patients treated with SSAs for >12 months due to unresectable/advanced nonpancreatic well-differentiated NEN. Clinical evaluation, biochemical parameters, and fecal elastases 1 (FE-1) were assessed to diagnose EPI.ResultsA total of 7 patients (20%) had EPI, given the presence of abdominal symptoms and a median FE-1 value of 180 mcg/g stool (150–198). No patient had severe EPI, defined as FE-1 < 100 mcg/g stool. Elevated glycated Hb levels were a significant predictor for developing EPI (OR 4.81, p = 0.01). No significant difference in terms of duration of SSA treatment was observed between patients with or without EPI diagnosed (84 months and 72 months, respectively; p = 0.950).ConclusionsMild-moderate EPI is a relatively common condition in patients receiving long-term treatment with SSAs. Specific clinical and biochemical evaluations, including FE-1, should be planned in these patients to diagnose this relevant condition early, which may deteriorate quality of life and cause malnutrition.     

May we challenge the ENETS guidelines in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms? A quiz for French experts

IntroductionRecent guidelines have been published by a consensus of international experts (2016 ENETS (European NeuroEndocrine Tumor Society) guidelines). Nevertheless, in case of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNEN) the ENETS guidelines fail to propose a unique strategy in some situations, due to the lack of high-level of evidence and the absence of formal agreement between the experts drawing up the guidelines.Material and methodsA survey of 25 questions on panNEN was sent to 104 French experts challenging the guidelines. Questions focused on clinical situations in localized G-1/2 panNEN, localized G-3 panNEN, metastatic G-1/2 panNEN, and metastatic G-3 panNEN for which multiple options were proposed by the ENETS guidelines.ResultsFifty-seven experts (55%) have answered the survey. 18/25 questions obtained at least 50% similar responses, allowing a “consensus” or a “position statement”. Among the results, surgery of small panNEN is preferred to surveillance in young patients; the temozolomide–capecitabine combination is favored instead of streptozotocin-based chemotherapy for G-1/2 metastatic panNEN.ConclusionFrench experts are mostly in line with the European guidelines, but some differences do exist. Whilst waiting for prospective studies, this survey helps physicians to propose standardized procedures and identifies situations where a step forward has been enabled by French experts. This questionnaire paves the way for a simplified therapeutic algorithm of panNEN.     

A practical approach to acromegaly management in Latin America

Introduction

Evidence-based treatment guidelines have undoubtedly advanced medical practice and supported optimal management of acromegaly, but their application may be hampered by limited access to the latest treatment options.

Methods

In this retrospective, narrative review, the authors revisited existing treatment guidelines for acromegaly in Latin America. These were considered in conjunction with published evidence chosen at the authors’ discretion.

Findings

In a socially and economically diverse region, such as Latin America, any regional practice guidelines need to appreciate that recommended treatment options, such as surgery by expert pituitary surgical teams and drug therapies, especially somatostatin analogs, are often not available due to limited resources. In these instances, physicians may be obliged to apply less effective therapeutic options.

Conclusions

The current article looks at the practical aspects of acromegaly management in Latin America and discusses this in the context of existing guidelines. Furthermore, we consider potential strategies to make better use of resources through combination and multimodal approaches to treatment.

     

Evidence-based management of systemic sclerosis: Navigating recommendations and guidelines

ObjectivesSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare heterogeneous connective tissue disease. Recommendations addressing the major issues in the management of SSc including screening and treatment of organ complications are needed.MethodsThe updated European League Against Rheumatism/European Scleroderma Trial and Research (EULAR/EUSTAR) and the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (BHPR) guidelines were compared and contrasted.ResultsThe updated EULAR/EUSTAR guidelines focus specifically on the management of SSc features and include data on newer therapeutic modalities and mention a research agenda. These recommendations are pharmacologic, with few guidelines regarding investigations and non-pharmacologic management. Recommendations from BSR/BHPR are similar to the organ manifestations mentioned in the EULAR/EUSTAR recommendations, and expand on several domains of treatment, including general measures, non-pharmacologic treatment, cardiac involvement, calcinosis, and musculoskeletal features. The guidelines usually agree with one another. Limitations include the lack of guidance for combination or second-line therapy, algorithmic suggestions, the absence of evidence-based recommendations regarding the treatment of specific complications (i.e., gastric antral ectasia and erectile dysfunction). Consensus for when to treat interstitial lung disease in SSc is lacking. There are differences between Europe and North American experts due to access and indications for certain therapies.ConclusionsCare gaps in SSc have been demonstrated so the EULAR/EUSTAR and BSR/BHP guidelines can promote best practices. Certain complications warrant active investigation to further improve outcomes in SSc and future updates of these recommendations.Care gaps in SSc have been demonstrated so the EULAR/EUSTAR and BSR/BHP guidelines can promote best practices. Certain complications warrant active investigation to further improve outcomes in SSc     

Current and future treatment options in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Introduction: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Diagnosis of NASH requires a liver biopsy and is defined as presence of hepatic steatosis, ballooning and lobular inflammation with or without fibrosis. Although NASH is the most common cause of liver disease in the west world and among the top three indications for liver transplantation, there are no universally accepted pharmacological therapies and therapeutic advances have been slow.

Areas covered: Current evidence about lifestyle interventions, bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy is reviewed. Dietary recommendations and lifestyle interventions have shown promising results but are difficult to maintain. At the moment, there is no universally approved medical treatment for NASH. Pioglitazone and vitamin E are recommended by guidelines in selected patients. An increasing number of phase II and III trials in non-cirrhotic NASH are currently recruiting and their preliminary results discussed.

Expert commentary: As NASH is classified as a medical condition of an unmet therapeutic need, it has gained an accelerated access pathway for drug approval based on surrogate endpoints. It is therefore expected that within the next five years, there will be at least one approved agent for the pharmacological treatment of pre-cirrhotic NASH.     

COVID-19 epidemic: Proposed alternatives in the management of digestive cancers: A French intergroup clinical point of view (SNFGE,FFCD, GERCOR,UNICANCER, SFCD,SFED, SFRO,SFR)

IntroductionPatients treated for malignancy are considered at risk of severe COVID-19. This exceptional pandemic has affected countries on every level, particularly health systems which are experiencing saturation. Like many countries, France is currently greatly exposed, and a complete reorganization of hospitals is ongoing. We propose here adaptations of diagnostic procedures, therapies and care strategies for patients treated for digestive cancer during the COVID-19 epidemic.MethodsFrench societies of gastroenterology and gastrointestinal (GI) oncology carried out this study to answer two main questions that have arisen (i) how can we limit high-risk situations for GI-cancer patients and (ii) how can we limit contact between patients and care centers to decrease patients’ risk of contamination while continuing to treat their cancer. All recommendations are graded as experts’ agreement according to the level of evidence found in the literature until March 2020.ResultsA proposal to adapt treatment strategies was made for the main GI oncology situations. Considering the level of evidence and the heterogeneous progression of the COVID-19 epidemic, all proposals need to be considered by a multidisciplinary team and implemented with patient consent.ConclusionCOVID-19 epidemic may significantly affect patients treated for digestive malignancies. Healthcare teams need to consider adapting treatment sequences when feasible and according to the epidemic situation.     

Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms and precursor lesions: Case reports and literature review

Rationale:Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs) represent a distinctive group of gastric tumors, stratified into different prognostic categories according to different histological characteristics, put forth in the 2018 World Health Organization classification system. The clinical presentations, as well as pathological features, represent important data in establishing the type of the tumor, in estimating the tumor behavior, and in selecting the best therapeutic strategy. In our case series we presented different clinical scenarios that may be encountered in practice regarding gastric NENs. We performed a literature review and discussed diagnostic strategy, current classification system, precursor lesions, and therapeutic options in g-NENs.Patient concerns:The first patient was a 41-year-old female with weight loss, persistent dyspeptic complaints and a history of pernicious anemia. In the second clinical case a 61-year-old man was admitted with heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea and mild iron deficiency anemia. The third patient was a 56-year-old male with a history of neoplasia, admitted for weight loss, dyspeptic complaints, and liver metastases.Diagnosis:All the 3 patients underwent upper endoscopy with targeted biopsies. Histopathological and laboratory evaluation, together with imagistic evaluation (abdominal ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging) allowed the distinction between 3 different types of gastric tumors: type 1 enterochromaffin-like-cell G1 NET, type 2 enterochromaffin-like-cell G2 NET, and type 3 G2 NET with liver metastases.Interventions:Endoscopic polypectomy of the largest lesion was performed in patient with type 1 g-NET and autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis, followed by regular endoscopic surveillance with biopsies. In type 2 g-NET associated with pancreatic gastrinoma, pancreaticoduodenectomy with total gastrectomy were performed. In type 3 g-NET, detected in metastatic stage, oncologic therapy was performed.Outcomes:The patients follow-up was selected according to tumor behavior, from regular endoscopic surveillance to oncology follow-up. The prognosis was good in case 1, whilst poorer outcomes were associated with more aggressive tumors in case 2 and case 3.Lessons:g-NENs are rare tumors with distinct clinical and histological features. Our case series emphasized the role of close collaboration between clinician and pathologist, as well as the importance of a detailed pathology report.