Impact of lymph node staging on therapy of esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Therapy of esophageal carcinoma is stage dependent. The role of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS FNA) in this setting is unclear. The aims of this study were to compare the performance characteristics of CT, EUS, and EUS FNA for preoperative nodal staging of esophageal carcinoma and to measure the impact of each staging test on treatment decisions. METHODS: From December 1999 to March 2001, all patients with esophageal carcinoma seen at the Mayo Clinic Rochester were prospectively evaluated with CT, EUS, and EUS FNA. The impact of tumor stage on final therapy was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients with esophageal carcinoma were enrolled. EUS FNA was more sensitive (83% vs. 29%; P < 0.001) than CT and more accurate than CT (87% vs. 51%; P < 0.001) or EUS (87% vs. 74%; P = 0.012) for nodal staging. Direct surgical resection was contraindicated in 77% of patients evaluated due to advanced locoregional/metastatic disease. Tumor location, patient age, comorbidities, and tumor stage determined by CT, EUS, and EUS FNA were associated with treatment decisions (P < 0.05). EUS FNA resulting in a higher/worse stage than CT (41 patients) was associated with a greater rate of treatments that were not direct surgeries compared with cases in which the stage was the same or better. CONCLUSIONS: EUS FNA is more accurate for nodal staging and impacts on therapy of patients with esophageal carcinoma. EUS FNA should be included in the preoperative staging algorithm of these patients.     

Endoscopic diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus

The Prague C and M Criteria have been developed for the objective endoscopic diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus (BE). BE arises between the squamocolumnar junction and the gastroesophageal junction at the proximal margin of the gastric folds. In this study, we reported that 43.0% of the subjects examined were diagnosed with BE based on the Prague C and M Criteria. Previous criticism by John Dent proposed that our data should be considered invalid because the prevalence of BE reported in our study was extraordinarily high and discordant with previous studies. Dent predicted that the position of the gastroesophageal junction in our study was judged to be lower than the actual position due to the effacement of the proximal ends of the gastric folds because of the routine use of a high degree of air distension during typical Japanese endoscopic examinations. The endoscopic evaluation of the superior gastric folds is certainly influenced by the degree of air distension of the esophagus. However, in our study, the proximal limit of the gastric mucosal folds was prospectively imaged while the oesophagus was minimally insufflated. Then, under a high level of air distension, the distal ends of the palisade-shaped longitudinal vessels were imaged because they are more easily observed when distended. In the majority of patients, the distal ends of the palisade-shaped longitudinal vessels correspond to the proximal limit of the gastric mucosal folds. Our endoscopic evaluation was appropriately performed according to the Prague C and M Criteria. We suspect that the high prevalence of BE in our study may be due to the inclusion of ultrashort-segment BE, which defines BE with an affected mucosal length under 5 mm, in our positive results.     

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic oblique aspiration mucosectomy for superficial esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: EMR is now a widely accepted option for the treatment for superficial esophageal cancer (SEC). However, studies of medium-term to long-term outcomes are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes in patients with SEC who are undergoing medium-term to long-term follow-up after endoscopic oblique aspiration mucosectomy (EOAM). DESIGN: A single-center retrospective study. SETTING: Kitasato University East Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: From November 1999 to October 2005, 85 patients with SEC underwent EOAM. All tumors were macroscopically classified as the superficial type on the basis of preoperative endoscopic and EUS findings. Patients were followed-up, with an endoscopy every 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Therapeutic efficacy, complications, and follow-up results. RESULTS: The rate of complete resection was 82.5% (70/85). In patients who underwent an incomplete resection, argon plasma coagulation and heat probe coagulation were, in addition, performed. The median longest diameter of the resected specimens was 25 mm. The median time required for a resection was 27 minutes. There was no perforation. Bleeding after an EOAM occurred in 1 patient (1.2%). Esophageal stenosis developed in 8 patients (9.4%). All strictures were managed by endoscopic balloon dilation, and symptoms improved. The median follow-up period after EMR was 36 months (range 6-72 months). Local recurrence occurred in 5 patients (5.9%); the nonrecurrence rate was 96.4% at 1 year, 95.0% at 2 years, and 93.4% at 3 years. As additional treatment, argon plasma coagulation was performed in 4 patients, and endoscopic mucosal dissection was conducted in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: EOAM is a safe, easy, and effective procedure for the treatment of SEC that can be completed within a short time. The rate of local recurrence is low on medium-term to long-term follow-up.     

Predictive factors for esophageal stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal cancer

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been utilized as an alternative treatment to endoscopic mucosal resection for superficial esophageal cancer. We aimed to evaluate the complications associated with esophageal ESD and elucidate predictive factors for post‐ESD stenosis. The study enrolled a total of 42 lesions of superficial esophageal cancer in 33 consecutive patients who underwent ESD in our department. We retrospectively reviewed ESD‐associated complications and comparatively analyzed regional and technical factors between cases with and without post‐ESD stenosis. The regional factors included location, endoscopic appearance, longitudinal and circumferential tumor sizes, depth of invasion, and lymphatic and vessel invasion. The technical factors included longitudinal and circumferential sizes of mucosal defects, muscle disclosure and cleavage, perforation, and en bloc resection. Esophageal stenosis was defined when a standard endoscope (9.8 mm in diameter) failed to pass through the stenosis. The results showed no cases of delayed bleeding, three cases of insidious perforation (7.1%), two cases of endoscopically confirmed perforation followed by mediastinitis (4.8%), and seven cases of esophageal stenosis (16.7%). Monovalent analysis indicated that the longitudinal and circumferential sizes of the tumor and mucosal defect were significant predictive factors for post‐ESD stenosis (P < 0.005). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for a circumferential mucosal defect size of more than 71% (100 and 97.1%, respectively), followed by a circumferential tumor size of more than 59% (85.7 and 97.1%, respectively). It is of note that the success rate of en bloc resection was 95.2%, and balloon dilatation was effective for clinical symptoms in all seven patients with post‐ESD stenosis. In conclusion, the most frequent complication with ESD was esophageal stenosis, for which the sizes of the tumor and mucosal defect were significant predictive factors. Although ESD enables large en bloc resection of esophageal cancer, practically, in cases with a lesion more than half of the circumference, great care must be taken because of the high risk of post‐ESD stenosis.     

Advances in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, esophageal adenocarcinoma remains an aggressive and usually lethal tumor. This review focuses on the epidemiology of esophageal adenocarcinoma and its presumed precursor lesion, Barrett's esophagus; the pathogenesis of the cancer; advances in treatment of adenocarcinoma and Barrett's esophagus; and strategies for cancer prevention. Emphasis is placed on recent literature. Although the absolute number of cases of adenocarcinoma in the United States is still small, the incidence of this cancer has increased dramatically in the last 40 years, and adenocarcinoma is now the predominant form of esophageal cancer in this country. Recent evidence suggests that Barrett's esophagus is more prevalent in asymptomatic individuals than previously appreciated. The pathogenesis of Barrett's esophagus is poorly understood. Given that some subjects will have repeated bouts of severe erosive esophagitis and never develop Barrett's esophagus, host factors must play an important role. The utility of neoadjuvant radiation and chemotherapy in those with adenocarcinoma, although they are widely practiced, is not of clear benefit, and some authorities recommend against it. Ablative therapies, as well as endoscopic mucosal resection, hold promise for those with superficial cancer or high-grade dysplasia. Most series using these modalities feature relatively short follow-up, and longer-term data will be necessary to better describe the effects of these therapies. The value of chemoprevention in subjects with dysplastic Barrett's esophagus by use of cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or proton pump inhibitors is unknown. Similarly, although endoscopic screening is widely practiced, its value in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms is of unproven value, and recommending bodies are divided as to its practice.     

Endoscopically treated esophageal lipoma presenting with recurrent dysphagia after esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma

We have reported a case of endoscopically treated lipoma of the cervical esophagus. The patient was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of dysphagia and underwent an esophagectomy through right thoracotomy, followed by esophagogastrostomy for superficial esophageal cancer 3¹/₂ months before. However, this benign lesion was not revealed by preoperative check‐up. He again complained of dysphagia after esophagectomy and lipoma of the cervical esophagus was confirmed. Esophageal lipomas are relatively rare in the digestive tract; however, lipoma of the cervical esophagus can cause upper airway obstruction in the case of regurgitation of the tumor. Therefore, this disease must be considered in the examination of the patient with dysphagia.     

经口内镜下食管憩室肌切开术治疗食管憩室的疗效分析

探讨经口内镜下食管憩室肌切开术治疗食管憩室的中远期疗效以及术后憩室复发的危险因素。方法　对2016年5月1日—2019年8月1日在东南大学附属中大医院接受经口内镜下食管憩室肌切开术治疗的31例食管憩室病例进行回顾性研究,主要观察术后Eckardt评分、治疗成功率和复发率,并采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析术后憩室复发的独立危险因素。结果　31例均顺利完成经口内镜下食管憩室肌切开术,术后随访（30.6±11.1）个月（20~63个月）。31例术前Eckardt评分（8.2±2.4）分,术后1个月（1.4±0.7）分,术后6个月（1.4±1.1）分,术后12个月（1.3±1.1）分,术后24个月（1.3±0.9）分,与术前比较,术后各随访时间点的Eckardt评分均有明显下降（P<0.001）。术后随访1、6、12、24个月的治疗成功率分别为96.8%（30/31）、90.3%（28/31）、90.3%（28/31）和90.3%（28/31）。有3例复发,总复发率为9.7%（3/31）。Logistic回归分析结果显示,病程（P=0.038,OR=1.041,95%CI：1.002~1.080）和术前Eckardt评分（P=0.024,OR=2.299,95%CI：1.117~4.728）是影响术后憩室复发的独立危险因素。结论　经口内镜下食管憩室肌切开术治疗食管憩室的中远期疗效理想,但病程长、术前Eckardt评分高者易复发。     

Assessment of clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasound on esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the most accurate imaging modality for locoregional staging of esophageal cancer. It remains unclear whether this technology impacts on the outcome of patients with this malignancy. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of EUS FNA by comparing the clinical outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer before and after the introduction of this staging modality in our institution. METHODS: Outcomes of patients with de novo non-metastatic esophageal cancer seen in 1998 without EUS FNA evaluation (non-EUS control group) were compared to patients evaluated in 2000 with EUS FNA (EUS group). RESULTS: Outcomes of 60 (non-EUS control group) and 107 (EUS group) patients with non-metastatic esophageal cancer were compared. Preoperative neoadjuvant therapy was administered to 35 patients in the EUS group, all of whom had advanced disease. Cox proportional hazards demonstrated EUS FNA to be associated with reduced recurrence risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43-0.87), P = 0.004, and reduced mortality (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.90), P = 0.008. CONCLUSIONS: The EUS staging of esophageal cancer leads to appropriate use of preoperative neoadjuvant therapy in patients with advanced disease. Use of EUS is associated with a recurrence-free survival advantage and overall survival advantage in patients, thus supporting its routine use in esophageal cancer staging.     

Prevention of esophageal stricture after endoscopic resection

Stricture formation after esophageal endoscopic resection has a negative impact on patients’ quality of life because it causes dysphagia and requires multiple endoscopic dilations. Various methods by which to prevent stricture have recently been developed and reported. Among these methods, local steroid injection is the most commonly used and is currently considered the standard method for noncircumferential resection. However, local steroid injection has a limited effect on circumferential resection. Thus, oral steroid administration is used for such cases because it may have a stronger effect than local injection. Steroid treatment, both by local injection and oral administration, is effective and low‐cost; however, it may cause fragility of the esophageal wall, resulting in adverse events such as perforation during balloon dilatation. Many innovative approaches have been developed, such as tissue‐shielding methods with polyglycolic acid, tissue engineering approaches with autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet transplantation, and stent insertion. These methods may be promising, but they are limited by a scarcity of data. Further investigations are needed to confirm the efficacy of these methods.