Endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric cancer

Efficacy of a new hemostatic forceps during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: A prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Currently, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a widely accepted standard treatment for early gastric cancer, but one challenging aspect of ESD is hemostasis. We developed a new hemostatic forceps (FD-Y0007) with the aim of achieving more effective hemostasis and investigated the hemostatic ability of the FD-Y0007 during gastric ESD in humans.

METHODS

This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial, which was conducted at a cancer referral center. Sixty-six patients who were scheduled to undergo ESD were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the Coagrasper or the FD-Y0007, which was used for hemostasis throughout the case. The primary end point was the time required to obtain hemostasis, which was measured for the first episode of bleeding during each case.

RESULTS

Hemostasis time for the first bleeding episode during ESD was 73.0 s for the Coagrasper and 21.5 s for the FD-Y0007 (P < 0.001). When all episodes of bleeding were included, hemostasis time was 56.8 s in the Coagrasper group and 25.5 s in FD-Y0007group (P < 0.0001). The frequency of adverse events (perforation: 3.4% vs 7.1%; delayed bleeding: 0% vs 0%) was not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the Coagrasper, the FD-Y0007 efficiently reduces the hemostatic time during gastric ESD with no increase in adverse events.

Efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection for cancer of the operated stomach

PURPOSE

Cancer can develop in the operated stomach after partial gastrectomy and in the reconstructed gastric tube after surgery for esophageal cancer. It is considered that endoscopic therapy is more safe and suitable for the early gastric cancer developed in such stomach than operation. We investigated the efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for cancer of the operated stomach.

METHODS

Subjects were 669 gastric cancer patients who underwent ESD: 22 patients (23 lesions) had surgically altered gastric anatomy, whereas 647 patients (727 lesions) had normal gastric anatomy. In the altered gastric anatomy group, 13 patients, 6 patients, and 3 patients had previously undergone distal gastrectomy, gastric tube reconstruction, and proximal gastrectomy, respectively. Rates of complete en bloc resection and curative resection were compared between the two groups. Influence of an anastomotic site and/or a suture line on ESD outcomes was examined in the altered gastric anatomy group.

RESULTS

The rate of complete en bloc resection by ESD was 82.6% (19/23 lesions) in the altered gastric anatomy group and 92.3% (671/727 lesions) in the normal gastric anatomy group. The rate of curative resection and incident rates of complications were not significantly different between the groups. In the altered gastric anatomy group, the rate of complete en bloc resection was significantly lower when a lesion had spread across an anastomotic site and/or a suture line (P = 0.0372). Furthermore, duration of ESD was significantly longer (P = 0.0276), and resection efficiency was significantly lower (13 mm(2)/min, P = 0.0283), when treating lesions with an anastomotic site and/or a suture line than when treating isolated lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Outcome of ESD for cancer of the operated stomach compares with that in normal stomach anatomy. Anastomotic site/suture line within a lesion influenced the ESD procedure.

Efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection for cancer of the operated stomach

PURPOSE

Cancer can develop in the operated stomach after partial gastrectomy and in the reconstructed gastric tube after surgery for esophageal cancer. It is considered that endoscopic therapy is more safe and suitable for the early gastric cancer developed in such stomach than operation. We investigated the efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for cancer of the operated stomach.

METHODS

Subjects were 669 gastric cancer patients who underwent ESD: 22 patients (23 lesions) had surgically altered gastric anatomy, whereas 647 patients (727 lesions) had normal gastric anatomy. In the altered gastric anatomy group, 13 patients, 6 patients, and 3 patients had previously undergone distal gastrectomy, gastric tube reconstruction, and proximal gastrectomy, respectively. Rates of complete en bloc resection and curative resection were compared between the two groups. Influence of an anastomotic site and/or a suture line on ESD outcomes was examined in the altered gastric anatomy group.

RESULTS

The rate of complete en bloc resection by ESD was 82.6% (19/23 lesions) in the altered gastric anatomy group and 92.3% (671/727 lesions) in the normal gastric anatomy group. The rate of curative resection and incident rates of complications were not significantly different between the groups. In the altered gastric anatomy group, the rate of complete en bloc resection was significantly lower when a lesion had spread across an anastomotic site and/or a suture line (P = 0.0372). Furthermore, duration of ESD was significantly longer (P = 0.0276), and resection efficiency was significantly lower (13 mm(2)/min, P = 0.0283), when treating lesions with an anastomotic site and/or a suture line than when treating isolated lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Outcome of ESD for cancer of the operated stomach compares with that in normal stomach anatomy. Anastomotic site/suture line within a lesion influenced the ESD procedure.

The need for second-look endoscopy to prevent delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric neoplasms: a prospective randomized trial

Background/Aims

Many authors recommend performing a second-look endoscopy (SLE) to reduce the frequency of delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric neoplasms, but these recommendations have been made despite a lack of reliable evidence supporting the effectiveness of SLE.

Methods

From January 2012 to May 2013, we investigated 441 gastric neoplasms treated by ESD to assess the risk factors for delayed bleeding. Delayed bleeding occurred in four of these lesions within 1 postoperation day. Therefore, we enrolled the patients with the remaining 437 lesions to determine the utility of SLE performed on the morning of postoperative day 2. All lesions were randomly assigned to SLE (220 lesions) groups or non-SLE (217 lesions) groups.

Results

Delayed bleeding occurred in 18 lesions (4.1%). A large tumor size (>20 mm) was the only independent risk factor for delayed bleeding (p=0.007). The chance of delayed bleeding was not significantly different between the patients receiving a SLE (eight cases) and those patients not receiving a SLE (six cases, p=0.787). Furthermore, SLE for lesions with a large tumor size did not significantly decrease delayed bleeding (p=0.670).

Conclusions

SLE had little or no influence on the prevention of delayed bleeding, irrespective of the risk factors.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric cancer in elderly Japanese patients: an observational study of financial costs of treatment based on a national administrative database

OBJECTIVE

There is currently little information on the medical economic outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric cancer (GC) in elderly patients. This study therefore aimed to investigate the medical economic outcomes of ESD in elderly patients with GC using a national administrative database.

METHODS

A total of 27 385 patients treated with ESD for GC were referred to 867 hospitals in Japan from 2009 to 2011. We collected data from the national administrative database and divided them into two groups according to age: elderly patients (≥80 years; n = 5525) and non-elderly patients (<80 years; n = 21 860). We compared ESD-related complications, risk-adjusted length of stay (LOS) and medical costs during hospitalization between elderly and non-elderly patients.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in ESD-related complications between elderly and non-elderly patients (4.3% vs 3.9%, P = 0.152). However, significant differences were observed in mean LOS and medical costs during hospitalization between the two groups (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that elderly patients experienced a significantly longer LOS and higher medical costs. The unstandardized coefficient for LOS in elderly patients was 2.71 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.59-2.84, P < 0.001), while that for medical costs during hospitalization was USD952.1 (95% CI 847.7-1056.5, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

LOS and medical costs during hospitalization were significantly higher in elderly patients undergoing ESD for GC than in non-elderly patients, although there was no difference in the incidence of ESD-related complications.

Early-stage gastric cancers represented as dysplasia in a previous forceps biopsy: the importance of clinical management

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Because histological examination of gastric lesions by forceps biopsy is of limited accuracy, management on the basis of histological results is occasionally controversial. We examined the characteristics of early gastric cancers that presented as dysplasia resulting from a previous forceps biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between April 2007 and December 2010, 341 gastric adenocarcinoma lesions from 330 patients previously diagnosed histologically via endoscopic submucosal dissection were examined. We retrospectively assessed the characteristics of early gastric cancer according to their initial forceps biopsy results.

RESULTS

In total, 183 EGCs were diagnosed as dysplasia (53.7%; 89 low-grade and 94 high-grade) and 158 (46.3%) as carcinoma by forceps biopsy before endoscopic submucosal dissection. Significant differences were noted with respect to histologic differentiation of carcinomas, Lauren histologic type, depth of invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and en bloc resection between the dysplastic group and carcinoma group, based on forceps biopsy results.

CONCLUSION

A forceps biopsy result is not fully representative of the entire lesion and, thus, endoscopic submucosal dissection should be considered for lesions diagnosed as dysplasia via forceps biopsy in order to avoid the risk of missed carcinomas.

Risk factors for delayed bleeding from endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric neoplasms

OBJECTIVE

Delayed bleeding is a major complication of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastric neoplasms. We aimed to clarify risk factors for delayed bleeding from ESD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included 447 patients in whom 544 gastric neoplasms were resected by ESD between April 2006 and March 2011 in Yamaguchi University Hospital. We analyzed risk factors for delayed bleeding from ESD in relation to various clinical and pathological factors.

RESULTS

En bloc resection rate was 95.4% (519/544), and curative resection rate was 87.8% (477/544). Delayed bleeding occurred in 7.0% (38/544) and perforation occurred in 1.8% (10/544) of patients. Univariate analysis revealed platelet count (Plt) <15 × 10⁴/μl (p = 0.013), prothrombin time (PT) <70% (p = 0.044), resected size ≥ 50 mm (p = 0.038), and positive/indeterminate lateral margin (p = 0.012) to be risk factors for delayed bleeding. Multivariate analysis showed that Plt <15 × 10⁴/μl (odds ratio [OR], 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-5.53, p = 0.020) and positive/indeterminate lateral margin (OR, 5.45; 95% CI: 1.39-17.95, p = 0.018) were independent risk factors for delayed bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Low Plt, low PT, large resected size, and positive/indeterminate lateral margin were significant risk factors for delayed bleeding from ESD. Patients with these risk factors must be carefully observed for signs of delayed bleeding.

[Endoscopic submucosal dissection: only for expert endoscopists?]

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can be applied to early gastrointestinal cancers. This technique was developed to achieve radical curative resection and to reduce unnecessary surgical interventions. ESD was designed in eastern countries and is not widely used in the West. Although ESD represents a major therapeutic advance in endoscopy and is performed with curative intent, the complication rate (hemorrhage, perforation) is higher than reported in other techniques, requiring from endoscopists the acquirement of technical skill and experience through a structured and progressive training program to reduce the morbidity associated with this technique and increase its potential benefits. Although there is substantial published evidence on the applications and results of ESD, there are few publications on training in this technique and a standardized training program is lacking. The current article aims to describe the various proposals for training, as well as the basic principles of the technique, its indications, and the results obtained, since theoretical knowledge that would guide endoscopists during the clinical application of ESD is advisable before training begins. Training in an endoscopic technique has a little value without knowledge of the technique's aims, the situations in which it should be applied, and the results that can be expected.

Management of bleeding and artificial gastric ulcers associated with endoscopic submucosal dissection

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of gastric epithelial neoplasia without lymph node metastases, spread rapidly, primarily in Japan, starting in the late 1990s. ESD enables en bloc resection of lesions that are difficult to resect using conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). However, in comparison to EMR, ESD requires a high level of endoscopic competence and a longer resection time. Thus, ESD is associated with a higher risk of adverse events, including intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and gastrointestinal perforation. In particular, because of a higher incidence of intraoperative bleeding with mucosal incision and submucosal dissection, which are distinctive endoscopic procedures in ESD, a strategy for endoscopic hemostasis, mainly by thermo-coagulation hemostasis using hemostatic forceps, is important. In addition, because of iatrogenic artificial ulcers that always form after ESD, endoscopic hemostasis and appropriate pharmacotherapy during the healing process are essential.

Early gastric cancer of signet ring cell carcinoma is more amenable to endoscopic treatment than is early gastric cancer of poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in select tumor conditions

BACKGROUND

Recently, endoscopic submucosal dissection has been carefully applied in early gastric cancer (EGC) with undifferentiated type. However, there are no individual guidelines for endoscopic treatment of EGCs with poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma or signet ring cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the clinicopathologic features of these two types of EGC to guide the application of endoscopic treatment.

METHODS

Patients to undergo radical gastrectomy for the treatment of EGC were selected for inclusion in this study. Histology was classified according to the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association. Between January 2005 and December 2008, 288 patients with poorly differentiated EGC and 419 patients with signet ring cell EGC were enrolled. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Compared with signet ring cell EGC, poorly differentiated EGC had higher rates of male gender, old age (≥45 years), large tumor length (>20 mm), ulcer, submucosal invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis. In the multivariate analyses, poorly differentiated EGC was significantly associated with ulcer (odds ratio [OR]: 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-3.8), submucosal invasion (OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 2.6-5.1) and lymphovascular invasion (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.6) with a reference of signet ring cell EGC. The independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis were large tumor length, submucosal invasion, and lymphovascular invasion in both types of EGC. Young age was an independent risk factor of lymph node metastasis only in poorly differentiated EGC.

CONCLUSIONS

Poorly differentiated EGC has clinicopathologic features that are less favorable to endoscopic treatment than are those of signet ring cell EGC. Therefore, these two types of EGC should be approached separately, not as a united type of undifferentiated histology, during the planning of endoscopic treatment.

Endoscopic and histopathological characteristics suggesting the presence of gastric mucosal high grade neoplasia foci in cases initially diagnosed as gastric mucosal low grade neoplasia by forceps biopsy in Korea

BACKGROUND

As biopsy sites may miss coexisting gastric mucosal high grade neoplasia (HGN) foci, making a diagnosis of gastric mucosal low grade neoplasia (LGN) based only on forceps biopsy specimens can be inaccurate. Therefore, to achieve an accurate diagnosis, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of the entire lesion is required. However, EMR can cause serious complications such as perforation or bleeding. Considering these points, it is necessary to identify the characteristics suggesting coexisting HGN foci in cases initially diagnosed as LGN by forceps biopsy.

METHODS

Three hundred and five lesions from 282 consecutive patients were initially diagnosed as LGN by forceps biopsy and later resected using EMR. The still photographs from endoscopies and pathology slides of these lesions were reviewed.

RESULTS

After EMR, 272 lesions (89.2%) were finally diagnosed as LGN and 33 lesions (10.8%) were diagnosed as having HGN foci, including 1 intramucosal carcinoma. Univariate analysis showed that lesions >1.0 cm on endoscopy and lesions with tubulovillous or villous histology on forceps biopsy specimens were significantly more frequently found in cases with HGN than in LGN cases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that lesion size >1.0 cm on endoscopy and findings of tubulovillous or villous histology on forceps biopsy specimens were independent risk factors for coexisting HGN foci in cases initially diagnosed as LGN by forceps biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

If the lesions diagnosed as LGN by forceps biopsy are >1.0 cm on endoscopy or show tubulovillous or villous histology, EMR might be considered to avoid the risk of missing HGN foci.

Risk factors for bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric lesions

AIM

To assess risk factors for bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and to develop preventive measures.

METHODS

This retrospective study was performed in a tertiary referral center. A total of 328 patients underwent ESD for 398 gastric neoplasms between July 2007 and June 2009. The main outcome was association between post-ESD bleeding and the following: age; sex; comorbidities; daily use of medicine potentially related to gastric injury/bleeding; location, size, and histological depth of lesions; ulceration; experience of operator coagulating the ulcer floor, and duration of operation. We also determined the relationship between the location of post-ESD bleeding and risk factors for hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis revealed significant risk factors: tumor location [odds ratio (OR), 2.86; 95% CI: 1.21-6.79, P = 0.024], coagulator experience (OR, 4.29; 95% CI: 1.43-12.86, P = 0.009), and medicine potentially related to gastric injury/bleeding (OR, 2.80; 95% CI: 1.14-6.90, P = 0.039). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed significant, independent risk factors: tumor in lower third of stomach (OR, 2.47; 95% CI: 1.02-5.96, P = 0.044), beginner coagulator (OR, 3.93; 95% CI: 1.29-11.9, P = 0.016), and medicine (OR, 2.76; 95% CI: 1.09-6.98, P = 0.032). We classified cases of post-ESD bleeding into two groups (bleeding at the ulcer margin vs bleeding at the center) and found that bleeding at the margin occurred more frequently with beginner coagulators compared with experts (OR, 16.00; 95% CI: 1.22-210.59, P = 0.040).

CONCLUSION

Beginner coagulators, tumor in the antrum, and medicines were significant risk factors for post-ESD bleeding. Bleeding at the ulcer margin frequently occurred with beginner operators.

Endoscopic resection of superficial gastrointestinal tumors

Therapeutic endoscopy plays a major role in the management of gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasia. Its indications can be generalized into four broad categories; to remove or obliterate neoplastic lesion, to palliate malignant obstruction, or to treat bleeding. Only endoscopic resection allows complete histological staging of the cancer, which is critical as it allows stratification and refinement for further treatment. Although other endoscopic techniques, such as ablation therapy, may also cure early GI cancer, they can not provide a definitive pathological specimen. Early stage lesions reveal low frequency of lymph node metastasis which allows for less invasive treatments and thereby improving the quality of life when compared to surgery. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are now accepted worldwide as treatment modalities for early cancers of the GI tract.