Salvage radiation therapy for residual superficial esophageal cancer after endoscopic mucosal resection

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcomes of radiation therapy for patients with residual superficial esophageal cancer (rSEC) after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). METHODS AND MATERIALS: From May 1996 to October 2002, a total of 30 rSEC patients without lymph node metastasis received radiation therapy at Tohoku University Hospital and associated hospitals. The time interval from EMR to start of radiation therapy ranged from 9 to 73 days (median interval, 40 days). Radiation doses ranged from 60 Gy to 70 Gy (mean dose, 66 Gy). Chemotherapy was used in 9 of 30 patients (30%). RESULTS: The 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rates and cause-specific survival rates were 91%, 82%, and 51%, respectively, and 95%, 85%, and 73%, respectively. The 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year local control rates for mucosal cancer were 91%, 91%, and 91%, respectively, and those for submucosal cancer were 89%, 89%, and 47%, respectively. These differences in survival rates for patients with two types of cancer were not statistically significant. Local recurrence and lymph node recurrence were more frequent in patients with submucosal cancer than in patients with mucosal cancer (p = 0.38 and p = 0.08, respectively). Esophageal stenosis that required balloon dilatation developed in 3 of the 30 patients, and radiation pneumonitis that required steroid therapy developed in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation therapy is useful for preventing local recurrence after incomplete EMR.     

A multicenter retrospective study of endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer

Background The reported outcomes of endoscopic resection (ER) for early gastric cancer (EGC) remain limited to several single-institution studies. Methods A multicenter retrospective study was conducted at 11 Japanese institutions concerning their results for ER, including conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Results A total of 714 EGCs (EMR, 411; ESD, 303) in 655 consecutive patients were treated from January to December 2001. Technically, 511 of the 714 (71.6%) lesions were resected in one piece. The rate of one-piece resection with ESD (92.7%; 281/303) was significantly higher compared with that for EMR (56.0%; 230/411). Histologically, curative resection was found in 474 (66.3%) lesions. The rate of curative resection with ESD (73.6%; 223/303) was significantly higher compared with that for EMR (61.1%; 251/411). Blood transfusion because of bleeding was required in only 1 patient (0.1%) with EMR of 714 lesions. Perforation was found in 16 (2.2%). The incidence of perforation with ESD (3.6%; 11/303) was significantly higher than that with EMR (1.2%; 5/411). All complications were managed endoscopically, and there was no procedure-related mortality. The median follow-up period was 3.2 years (range, 0.5–5.0 years). In total, the 3-year cumulative residual-free/recurrence-free rate and the 3-year overall survival rate were 94.4% and 99.2%, respectively. The 3-year cumulative residual-free/recurrence-free rate in the ESD group (97.6%) was significantly higher than that in the EMR group (92.5%). Conclusion ER leads to an excellent 3-year survival in clinical practice and could be a possible standard treatment for EGC. ESD has the advantage of achieving one-piece resection and reducing local residual or recurrent tumor.     

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for large colorectal laterally spreading tumors in older adults

Background and Aims

The colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains technically challenging, especially for older patients who frequently encounter complex chronic diseases and have a loose colon. However, only limited number of studies are available for the safety of ESD in older patients with especially large laterally spreading tumors. Therefore, in this retrospective study, we compared the outcomes of ESD for laterally spreading tumors (LST) ≥ 3 cm(cm) in older patients to that in younger patients.

Efficacy and safety of grasping forceps-assisted endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasms: A multi-centre retrospective study

BACKGROUNDEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely accepted for early gastric cancer (EGC) without lymph node metastasis, although ESD is challenging, even for small lesions, in the greater curvature (GC) of the upper (U) and middle (M) thirds of the stomach. Grasping forceps-assisted endoscopic resection (GF-ER) is a type of endoscopic mucosal resection that is performed via a double-channel endoscope. AIMTo investigate the safety and efficacy of GF-ER vs ESD in the GC of the stomach’s U and M regions.METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 506 patients who underwent ER of 522 EGC lesions in the stomach’s U and M regions in three institutions between January 2016 and May 2020. Nine lesions from eight patients who underwent GF-ER for EGC (the GF-ER group) were compared to 63 lesions from 63 patients who underwent ESD (the ESD group). We also performed a subgroup analysis of small lesions (≤ 10 mm) in 6 patients (7 lesions) from the GF-ER group and 20 patients (20 lesions) from the ESD group. RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences between the GF-ER and ESD groups in the en bloc resection rates (100% vs 100%) and the R0 resection rates (100% vs 98.4%). The median procedure time in the GF-ER group was shorter than that in the ESD group (4.0 min vs 55.0 min, P < 0.01). There were no adverse events in the GF-ER group, although five perforations (8.0%) and 1 case of postoperative bleeding (1.6%) were observed in the ESD group. When we only considered lesions that were ≤ 10 mm, the median procedure time in the GF-ER group was still shorter than that in the ESD group (4.0 min vs 35.0 min, P < 0.01). There were no adverse events in the GF-ER group, although 1 case of perforation (1.6%) were observed in the ESD group.CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that GF-ER may be an effective therapeutic option for small lesions in the GC of the stomach’s U and M regions.     

Current indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer

The development of endoscopic treatment technology has further promoted the minimally invasive treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC). Endoscopic treatment has achieved better therapeutic effects in terms of safety and prognosis and is the preferred treatment method for patients who meet the indications for endoscopic treatment. However, the consequent problem is that some patients receiving endoscopic treatment may undergo non-curative resection, and the principle of follow-up management for non-curative resection patients deserves further attention. In addition, there are still debates on how to improve the accuracy of clinical staging, select a reasonable treatment method for patients who meet the expanded indications for endoscopic treatment, manage patients with positive endoscopic surgical margins, conduct research on function-preserving surgery, and manage the treatment of EGC under the current situation in China. Consequently, we aim to review current indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection of EGC in order to better inform treatment options.     

Issues and Prospects of Current Endoscopic Treatment Strategy for Superficial Non-Ampullary Duodenal Epithelial Tumors

An increasing number of duodenal tumors are being diagnosed over the years, leading to increased confusion regarding the choice of treatment options. Small-to-large tumors and histological types vary from adenoma to carcinoma, and treatment methods may need to be selected according to lesion characteristics. Because of its anatomic characteristics, complications are more likely to occur in the duodenum than in other gastrointestinal organs. Several reports have described the outcomes of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, cold snare polypectomy, underwater endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic full-thickness resection, and laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery for duodenal tumors. However, even in the guidelines set out by various countries, only the treatment methods are listed, and no clear treatment strategies are provided. Although there are few reports with a sufficiently high level of evidence, considering the currently available treatment options is essential. In this report, we reviewed previous reports on each treatment strategy, discussed the current issues and prospects, and proposed the best possible treatment strategy.     

Initial experience in Brazil with endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer using insulation-tipped knife: a safety and feasibility study

Background  Endoscopic resection is an adequate treatment for subgroups of patients with early gastric cancer. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) represents a recent advance and leads to good results when adequately indicated. There is great experience with this technique in Japan and it is gaining acceptance among Western endoscopists. We present the first gastric ESD series performed in Brazil. Methods  Patients with well-differentiated adenocarcinomas macroscopically classified as early cancer, less than 30 mm with no ulcer or scar, were included. ESD was performed with an insulated-tip knife and electrosurgical unit with endocut mode. Clinicopathological aspects and morbidity were evaluated. The study was approved by the local ethics committee and informed consent was obtained from all participant subjects. Results  From October 2005 to July 2007, 160 patients received surgical treatment for gastric cancer; 44 patients (27.5%) had early gastric cancer. In this latter group, 15 procedures (ESD) were performed in 12 patients. The mean size of the lesions was 16.8 mm. Almost half of the lesions were located in the proximal third of the stomach and the mean elapsed time for the procedure was 140 min. In 80% of the cases resection was en bloc and 80% of the resections were considered curative. We had three perforations, which were managed clinically, and no bleeding. Conclusion  When adequately indicated, ESD is a safe and feasible technique.     

Endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer

The purpose of this review is to examine recent advances in the techniques and technologies of endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer (EGC). Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of EGC, with negligible risk of lymph node metastasis, is a standard technique in Japan and is increasingly becoming accepted and regularly used in Western countries. EMR is a minimally invasive technique which is safe, convenient, and efficacious; however, it is insufficient when treating larger lesions. The evidence suggests that difficulties with the correct assessment of depth of tumor invasion lead to an increase in local recurrence with standard EMR when lesions are larger than 15 mm. A major factor contributing to this increase in local recurrence relates to lesions being excised piecemeal due to the technical limitations of standard EMR. A new development in endoscopic techniques is to dissect directly along the submucosal layer — a procedure called endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). This allows the en-bloc resection of larger lesions. ESD is not necessarily limited by lesion size and it is predicted to replace conventional surgery in dealing with certain stages of ECG. However, it still has a higher complication rate when compared to standard EMR, and it requires high levels of endoscopic skill and experience. Endoscopic techniques, indications, pathological assessment, and methods of endoscopic resection of EGC need to be established for carrying out appropriate treatment and for the collation of long-term outcome data.     

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Versus Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for the Treatment of Early Esophageal Carcinoma: a Meta-analysis

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was originally developed for en bloc resection of large, flatgastrointestinal lesions. Compared with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), ESD is considered to be moretime consuming and have more complications for treatment of early esophageal carcinoma, such as bleeding,stenosis and perforation. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ESD and EMRfor such lesions. We searched databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Science CitationIndex updated to 2013 for related trials. In the meta-analysis, the main outcome measurements were the en blocresection rate, the histologically resection rate and the local recurrence rate. We also compared the operation timeand the incidences of procedure-related complications. Five trials were identified, and a total of 710 patients and795 lesions were included. The en bloc and histologically complete resection rates were higher in the ESD groupcompared with the EMR group (odds ratio (OR) 27.3; 95% CI, 11.5-64.8; OR 18.4; 95% CI, 8.82-38.59). The localrecurrence rate was lower in the ESD group (OR 0.13, 95 % CI 0.04-0.43). The meta-analysis also showed ESDwas more time consuming, but did not increase the complication rate (P=0.76). The results implied that comparedwith EMR, ESD showed better en bloc and histologically resection rates, and lower local recurrence, withoutincreasing the incidence of procedure-related complications in the treatment of early esophageal carcinoma.     

内镜下黏膜剥离术治疗早期食管癌及癌前病变的临床应用

目的探讨内镜黏膜剥离术（ESD）在早期食管癌及癌前病变治疗中的应用价值与意义。方法选取2007年1月至2010年1月57例行内镜检查取活检经病理学确诊的早期食管癌及癌前病变并行ESD治疗的患者,进行内镜下黏膜剥离术,对照术前与术后的病理结果,并对手术并发症、治疗效果及预后进行观察。结果57例行ESD治疗的早期食管癌及癌前病变患者,术后病理学诊断黏膜内癌12例（21．1％）,原位癌22例（38．6％）,重度不典型增生18例（31．6％）,中度不典型增生5例（8．8％）。术前术后病理学诊断符合率为87．6％,其中有10例不相符的患者为术前活检病理级别低于术后病理级别。结论对于病理学活检、染色内镜及超声内镜确诊为直径〈30mm无肿瘤转移的早期食管癌及中重度异型增生患者进行内镜下黏膜切除术效果良好。黏膜下剥离术是这类早期食管癌及癌前病变治疗的有效方法,且创伤小,能有效提高患者术后生活质量,值得临床推广应用。     

Longterm outcomes after endoscopic mucosal resection for early gastric cancer

Background Despite the widespread use of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC), its longterm outcomes have not been fully evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate longterm survival after complete EMR for EGC. Methods From patients who underwent EMR between 1978 and 1996 at our center, we enrolled 131 patients with differentiated mucosal EGCs less than 2 cm (without ulcerative change) that had been completely removed by EMR. The vital status of the patients at the end of December 1998 was confirmed by the hospital cancer registry, which is linked to the Osaka Cancer Registry. Results A total of 124 patients (95%) were completely followed-up. Two patients (1.5%) died of gastric cancer and 26 died of other causes during the mean observation period of 58 months. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 84% and 64%, respectively. The disease-specific 5- and 10-year survival rates were 99% and 99%. Conclusion En bloc EMR ensured an excellent prognosis, and should be the first choice of treatment in patients with small differentiated mucosal EGC. Careful histological examination and longterm endoscopic surveillance are important.     

食管早癌内镜黏膜下剥离术后狭窄预防研究进展

内镜黏膜下剥离术(Endoscopic submucosal dissection, ESD)已被广泛接受为食管早癌及癌前病变的一线治疗方法。然而,大面积食管病变ESD术后往往会造成严重的食管狭窄,从而极大地降低患者的生活质量。目前有多种预防ESD术后食管狭窄的方法,包括药物预防、机械性扩张、组织屏蔽法和再生医学等,临床上取得了一定的疗效,但存在狭窄容易复发、操作复杂等问题,更加有效且易于临床应用的预防狭窄的治疗方案有待进一步研究。本文就目前食管早癌ESD术后狭窄的预防研究进行综述。     

Construction and analysis of an ulcer risk prediction model after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer

BACKGROUNDEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely used in the treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC). A personalized and effective prediction method for ESD with EGC is urgently needed.AIMTo construct a risk prediction model for ulcers after ESD for EGC based on LASSO regression.METHODSA total of 196 patients with EGC who received ESD treatment were prospectively selected as the research subjects and followed up for one month. They were divided into an ulcer group and a non-ulcer group according to whether ulcers occurred. The general data, pathology, and endoscopic characteristics of the groups were compared, and the best risk predictor subsets were screened by LASSO regression and tenfold cross-validation. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to analyze the risk factors for ulcers after ESD in patients with EGC. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to estimate the predictive model performance.RESULTSOne month after the operation, no patient was lost to follow-up. The incidence of ulcers was 20.41% (40/196) (ulcer group), and the incidence of no ulcers was 79.59% (156/196) (non-ulcer group). There were statistically significant differences in the course of disease, Helicobacter pylori infection history, smoking history, tumor number, clopidogrel medication history, lesion diameter, infiltration depth, convergent folds, and mucosal discoloration between the groups. Gray''s medication history, lesion diameter, convergent folds, and mucosal discoloration, which were the 4 nonzero regression coefficients, were screened by LASSO regression analysis. Further multivariate logistic analysis showed that lesion diameter [Odds ratios (OR) = 30.490, 95%CI: 8.584-108.294], convergent folds (OR = 3.860, 95%CI: 1.060-14.055), mucosal discoloration (OR = 3.191, 95%CI: 1.016-10.021), and history of clopidogrel (OR = 3.554, 95%CI: 1.009-12.515) were independent risk factors for ulcers after ESD in patients with EGC (P < 0.05). The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of the risk prediction model for ulcers after ESD in patients with EGC was 0.944 (95%CI: 0.902-0.972).CONCLUSIONClopidogrel medication history, lesion diameter, convergent folds, and mucosal discoloration can predict the occurrence of ulcers after ESD in patients with EGC.     

经尿道内镜黏膜下剥离术治疗非肌层浸润性膀胱肿瘤82例疗效分析

目的:探讨利用海博刀行膀胱肿瘤内镜黏膜下剥离术(BT-ESD)治疗非肌层浸润膀胱肿瘤的安全和有效.方法:收集2013年11月至2015年8月陕西省人民医院收治的82例非肌层浸润膀胱肿瘤患者,利用海博刀行BT-ESD治疗膀胱肿瘤病灶.记录患者手术时间、术中出血量、膀胱冲洗时间、尿管留置时间、术后住院时间和1年肿瘤复发率.结果:完整切除膀胱肿瘤78例,肿瘤直径1.0～7.0cm,完整取出肿瘤70例,肿瘤组织电切后取出12例.手术时间(60±19.2) min、膀胱冲洗时间(24±10)h、尿管留置时间(5.9±1.9)d、术后住院时间(5.1±1.2)d.无1例需输血,1例发生闭孔神经反射,无穿孔及术后出血等并发症.结论:利用海博刀行BT-ESD治疗非肌层浸润膀胱肿瘤是一种安全有效的方式.肿瘤的完整切除有利于病理学的评估,减少了肿瘤播散和复发的机会.完整切除膀胱肿瘤的方法更符合肿瘤外科治疗原则.     

Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer without lymphatic invasion after endoscopic submucosal dissection

BackgroundLymphatic invasion (LI) is a potent risk factor for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early gastric cancer (EGC) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, there are also other risk factors for LNM. Hence, to identify the need for additional surgery in some case of EGC without LI, the present study aimed to identify the risk factors for LNM in patients with EGC without LI.MethodsData from 2284 patients diagnosed with EGC who underwent curative surgery at National Cancer Center in Korea from January 2012 to May 2019 were collected. The clinicopathological characteristics of patients with EGC without LI were compared on the basis of LNM status.ResultsThere were 339 (17.1%) and 1648 (82.9%) patients with and without LI respectively. Among these patients with and without LI, 118 (34.8%) and 91 (5.5%) patients presented with LNM, respectively. In patients with EGC without LI, tumor size larger than 3 cm (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.22–3.68; p = 0.007), submucosal invasion (OR = 4.14, 95% CI = 2.57–6.65; p < 0.001), and undifferentiated histologic type (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.45–3.76; p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for LNM. Rates of LNM in patients meeting absolute, expanded, and beyond expanded criteria without LI were 0%, 1.5% (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 0.18–59.41; p = 0.423), and 7.3% respectively. When the expanded criteria were divided into four subtypes patients with EGC, without LI within each subtype did not show significant risk of incidence of LNM compared to the absolute criteria.ConclusionsThe current expanded criteria for endoscopic resection (ER) are tolerable in cases without LI, even though minimal risk LNM exists. Therefore, additional surgery may not be needed for patients meeting expanded criteria for ER.     

Safety and efficacy of endoscopic resection for the treatment of duodenal subepithelial lesions

BackgroundEndoscopic management of duodenal subepithelial lesions is challenging, and there are only a few studies on this topic. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic resection for the treatment of duodenal subepithelial lesions.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, including epidemiologic characteristics, therapeutic outcomes, complications, and follow-up results, of 49 patients with duodenal subepithelial lesions who underwent endoscopic resection at our hospital between August 2010 and September 2019.ResultsWe performed 35 endoscopic submucosal dissection, 9 endoscopic mucosal resection, 3 endoscopic submucosal excavation, and 2 endoscopic full-thickness resection. The en bloc resection rate and R0 resection rate were 95.9% and 89.8%, respectively. Delayed perforations developed in 2 (4.1%) patients; surgical intervention was required for both. Coagulation syndrome developed in 1 (2.0%) patient; however, it was treated conservatively. Delayed bleeding or other serious complications did not occur. One patient underwent complementary surgery after endoscopic resection. One (2.3%) recurrence occurred in patients who underwent endoscopic resection at a median follow-up duration of 24 months (range, 1–88 months).ConclusionsEndoscopic resection is an effective, safe, and minimally invasive method for the histopathologic assessment and curative treatment of duodenal subepithelial lesions originating from the submucosal or muscularis propria.