Utility of restaging endoscopic ultrasound after neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer

Definitive chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who achieved clinical complete response when induction chemoradiation finished: A phase II random

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

More than 40% of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) exhibit pathological complete responses (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), and theoretically, these patients may be cured by CRT and omit surgery. This prospectively randomized pilot study compared definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) with nCRT in patients with locally advanced ESCC who achieved clinical complete responses (cCRs) to nCRT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Single center, randomized, open phase 2 study of 256 patients with locally advanced ESCC enrolled between April 2016 and November 2018. Immediately when nCRT finished, patients enrolled underwent response evaluations within 1 week. Patients with cCR were randomly allocated to undergo surgery (arm A) or complete CRT up to the definitive radiation dose (arm B). The primary end point was 3-year disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

Finally, 71 patients were randomly assigned to the nCRT (n = 36) and dCRT (n = 35) arms. The median observation time was 35.7 months. The 3-year DFS rate was 56.43% in arm A versus 54.73% in arm B (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.862, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.452 to 1.645, P = 0.652). The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates in arms A and B were 69.5% and 62.3% (HR = 0.824, 95% CI = 403-1.688, P = 0.597), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our treatment response evaluation criteria, survival of the patients with cCR after nCRT was not significant different between nCRT group and dCRT group. An optimized response evaluation strategy soon after nCRT may guide next therapy decisions for patients with locally advanced ESCC.

The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Management of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth more frequent cancer worldwide, with a poor prognosis. Initial staging is critical to decide on the best individual treatment approach. Current modalities for the assessment of EC are irradiating techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography/CT, or invasive techniques, such as digestive endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive and non-irradiating imaging technique that provides high degrees of soft tissue contrast, with good depiction of the esophageal wall and the esophagogastric junction. Various sequences of MRI have shown good performance in initial tumor and lymph node staging in EC. Diffusion-weighted MRI has also demonstrated capabilities in the evaluation of tumor response to chemoradiotherapy. To date, there is not enough data to consider whole body MRI as a routine investigation for the detection of initial metastases or for prediction of distant recurrence. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on MRI for the management of EC.

Salvage thoracoscopic esophagectomy after carbon-ion radiotherapy in a patient with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a case report

Background

Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for esophageal cancer has been receiving significant attention given its high local control rates and minimal damage to normal tissues. However, the efficacy and safety of salvage surgery after CIRT for esophageal cancer remain unclear. We report the case of a patient who underwent salvage thoracoscopic surgery after CIRT.

Case presentation

A 51-year-old woman underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and a type 0-IIa + 0-IIc esophageal squamous cell carcinoma located 27–29 cm from the patient’s incisors, classified as clinical stage I (T1bN0M0), was detected. She received CIRT (50.4 Gy [relative biological effectiveness, RBE]/12 fr) for localized esophageal cancer and achieved complete remission after 4 months. Six years after CIRT, follow-up endoscopic examination demonstrated a type 0-IIa + 0-IIc tumor in the previously treated area. In addition, a type 0-IIa lesion located 20–22 cm from the incisors was found. We diagnosed localized ESCC, classified as clinical stage I (T1bN0M0). Salvage thoracoscopic surgery was performed in the prone position with five access ports. Although the esophagus tightly adhered to the thoracic descending aorta and left main bronchus with severe fibrosis, the esophagus could be separated from the surrounding organs with careful forceps manipulation. The operation time and blood loss were 8 h 45 min and 253 mL, respectively. The patient was discharged from our hospital 17 days after the salvage surgery without any complications. Pathological findings revealed two squamous cell carcinomas. Both tumors were localized in the lamina propria mucosa, and lymph node metastasis was not detected. The tumors were diagnosed as pathological stage IA (pT1aN0M0) according to the TNM criteria. Moreover, pathological examinations showed severe fibrosis of the previously irradiated tissues compared to the normal esophagus located outside of the irradiation field. Following the surgery, the patient had no recurrence for 1 year and 6 months.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy can be performed as salvage surgery. Careful and discreet surgery is integral to perform salvage surgery after CIRT since CIRT may cause severe adhesions and fibrosis in the irradiated field.

Diagnostic Value of Endoscopic Ultrasound after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer Restaging: A Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) after neoadjuvant therapy (NT) for gastric cancer restaging by meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic search of studies published on PubMed and Web of Science up to 30th August 2021. Assessing the risk of bias in the included studies was done with the QUADAS-2 tool. We used R and Review Manager 5.4.1 for calculations and statistical analysis. To evaluate the diagnostic value of EUS after NT for gastric cancer restaging, we performed a meta-analysis on six studies, with a total of 283 patients, including true-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative results for T1-T4, N0. EUS as a diagnostic test for GC patients after chemotherapy has a relatively low DOR for the T2 (3.96) and T4 stages (4.79) and a relatively high partial AUC for the T2 (0.85) and T4 (0.71) stages. Our results reveal that the pooled sensitivity for T stages after chemotherapy is rather low (29-56%), except for the T3 stage (71%). A potential limitation of our study was the small number of included studies, but no significant heterogeneity was found between them. Our meta-analysis concludes that EUS is not recommended or is still under debate for GC restaging after NT.

Clinical response assessment on DW-MRI compared with FDG-PET/CT after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with oesophageal cancer

PURPOSE

In about 30% of patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgical resection for locally advanced oesophageal cancer no vital tumour is found in the resection specimen. Accurate clinical response assessment is critical if deferral from surgery is considered in complete responders. Our study aimed to compare the performance of MRI and of FDG-PET/CT for the detection of residual disease after nCRT.

METHODS

Patients with oesophageal cancer eligible for nCRT and oesophagectomy were prospectively included. All patients underwent FDG-PET/CT and MRI before and between 6 and 8 weeks after nCRT. Two radiologists scored the MRI scans, and two nuclear medicine physicians scored the FDG-PET/CT scans using a 5-point score for residual disease. Histopathology after oesophagectomy represented the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated for detection of residual tumour (ypT+), residual nodal disease (ypN+), and any residual disease (ypT+Nx/ypT0N+).

RESULTS

Seven out of 33 (21%) patients had a pathological complete response. The AUCs for individual readers to detect ypT+ were 0.71/0.70 on diffusion-weighted (DW)-MRI and 0.54/0.57 on FDG-PET/CT, and to detect ypN+ were 0.89/0.81 on DW-MRI and 0.75/0.71 on FDG-PET/CT. The AUCs/sensitivities/specificities for the individual readers to detect any residual disease were 0.74/92%/57% and 0.70/96%/43% on MRI; these were 0.49/69%/29% and 0.60/69%/43% on FDG-PET/CT, respectively.

CONCLUSION

MRI reached higher diagnostic accuracies than FDG-PET/CT for the detection of residual tumour in oesophageal cancer patients at 6 to 8 weeks after nCRT.

Accuracy of Detecting Residual Disease After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis on the accuracy of endoscopic biopsies, EUS, and 18F-FDG PET(-CT) for detecting residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for esophageal cancer.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

After nCRT, one-third of patients have a pathologically complete response in the resection specimen. Before an active surveillance strategy could be offered to these patients, clinically complete responders should be accurately identified.

METHODS

Embase, Medline, Cochrane, and Web-of-Science were searched until February 2018 for studies on accuracy of endoscopic biopsies, EUS, or PET(-CT) for detecting locoregional residual disease after nCRT for squamous cell- or adenocarcinoma. Pooled sensitivities and specificities were calculated using random-effect meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies were included for meta-analyses. For detecting residual disease at the primary tumor site, 12 studies evaluated endoscopic biopsies, 11 qualitative EUS, 14 qualitative PET, 8 quantitative PET using maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and 7 quantitative PET using percentage reduction of SUVmax (%ΔSUVmax). Pooled sensitivities and specificities were 33% and 95% for endoscopic biopsies, 96% and 8% for qualitative EUS, 74% and 52% for qualitative PET, 69% and 72% for PET-SUVmax, and 73% and 63% for PET-%ΔSUVmax. For detecting residual nodal disease, 11 studies evaluated qualitative EUS with a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 68% and 57%, respectively. In subgroup analyses, sensitivity of PET-%ΔSUVmax and EUS for nodal disease was higher in squamous cell carcinoma than adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Current literature suggests insufficient accuracy of endoscopic biopsies, EUS, and 18F-FDG PET(-CT) as single modalities for detecting residual disease after nCRT for esophageal cancer.

Added value of MRI to endoscopic and endosonographic response assessment after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in oesophageal cancer

OBJECTIVES

In order to select oesophageal cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for organ-preserving treatment instead of surgery, a high diagnostic accuracy is required. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether MRI had additional value to gastroscopy with biopsies and endosonographic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration (FNA) for the detection of residual tumour after nCRT.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients with oesophageal cancer eligible for nCRT followed by oesophagectomy were prospectively included. All patients underwent (T2- and diffusion-weighted) MRI and gastroscopy+EUS before and after nCRT. Histopathology after oesophagectomy was the reference standard with pathological complete response (pCR) defined as ypT0N0. Diagnostic performance regarding the detection of residual tumour was calculated for gastroscopic biopsies and for EUS-FNA without and with MRI.

RESULTS

Nineteen of the 22 patients (86%) did not achieve pCR after nCRT (7 ypT+N+, 11 ypT+N0, 1 ypT0N+). Biopsies detected residual tumour in 6 of 18 ypT+ patients. After adding MRI, 16 of 18 residual tumours were assessed correctly. EUS-FNA detected 3 out of 8 ypN+ patients, while MRI did not improve detection. Overall, adding MRI improved sensitivity for detection of residual tumour to 89% (17 of 19) from 47% (9 of 19) with endoscopic biopsies and EUS-FNA only.

CONCLUSION

In this small study, the detection of residual tumour after nCRT in oesophageal cancer patients was improved by the addition of MRI to gastroscopy and EUS.

KEY POINTS

• In this small study, the detection of residual tumour after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in oesophageal cancer patients was improved by adding MRI including diffusion-weighted images to gastroscopy and endosonographic ultrasound. • With the addition of MRI assessment to gastroscopy and endosonographic ultrasound, the considerable risk of missing residual tumours decreased from 53 to 11%, while the pitfall was overstaging in one out of three complete responders.

Detecting Pathological Complete Response in Esophageal Cancer after Neoadjuvant Therapy Based on Imaging Techniques: A Diagnostic Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Up to 32% of patients with esophageal cancer show a pathological complete response (ypCR) after neoadjuvant therapy. To prevent overtreatment, the indication to perform esophagectomy in these patients should be reconsidered. Implementing an organ-preserving strategy for patients with ypCR requires an accurate assessment of residual disease after neoadjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of imaging techniques used for detection of ypCR after neoadjuvant therapy but before resection in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed from January 1, 2000, to December 13, 2017. Eligible studies were diagnostic studies that compared results of imaging modalities after neoadjuvant therapy to histopathological findings in the resection specimen after esophagectomy. Methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, version 2, model. Primary outcome measures were true positive, false-positive, false-negative, and true negative values of imaging techniques predicting ypCR. A meta-analysis was performed by pooling sensitivities and specificities by using a bivariate model.

RESULTS

A total of 4420 articles were identified. After exclusion of irrelevant titles and abstracts, 360 articles were reviewed in full text. In total, four imaging modalities (computed tomography [CT], positron emission tomography [PET-CT], endoscopic ultrasound [EUS], and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) were used for restaging. The meta-analysis was conducted with data from 56 studies involving 3625 patients. The pooled sensitivities of CT, PET-CT, EUS, and MRI for detecting ypCR were 0.35, 0.62, 0.01 and 0.80, respectively, whereas the pooled specificities were 0.83, 0.73, 0.99, and 0.83, respectively. The positive predictive value in detecting ypCR was 0.47 for CT, 0.41 for PET-CT, not applicable for EUS, and 0.61 for MRI.

CONCLUSION

Current imaging modalities such as CT, PET-CT, and EUS seem to be insufficiently accurate to identify complete responders. More accurate diagnostic tests are needed to improve restaging accuracy for patients with esophageal cancer.

Tumor Remission and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes During Chemoradiation Therapy: Predictive and Prognostic Markers in Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE

Clinical tools are unavailable for accurate prediction of pathologic responses to chemoradiation therapy (CRT) among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) before surgery. We evaluated tumor remission and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) during CRT as predictors of pathologic response and prognostic markers for patients with locally advanced ESCC treated with neoadjuvant CRT (neo-CRT) or definitive CRT.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We analyzed patients with locally advanced ESCC (N = 164) who underwent neo-CRT (N = 48) or definitive CRT (N = 116). Patients underwent endoscopic ultrasonography and biopsies when induction CRT finished. Tumor remission characteristics were designated minor (-/+) to excellent remission (ER) (+++). TILs were determined in 10% increments. Tumor remission, TILs, or both were associated with pathologic complete response (pCR) and survival in the neo-CRT group and then analyzed in the definitive CRT group.

RESULTS

ER and lymphocyte-predominant ESCC (LPE; ≥60% TILs) were identified according to the pCR rate and disease-free survival. We built a prediction model for pCR incorporating ER and LPE. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.877, and sensitivity and specificity were 86.7% and 90.9%, respectively. Furthermore, this model identified pathologic response with an excellent calibration. Disease-free survival of patients with ER and LPE tumors was significantly longer than that of other patients.

CONCLUSIONS

When we included tumor remission and TILs during CRT, our model predicted pCR with high probability and helped stratify prognostic subgroups, thereby guiding future therapy decisions for patients with locally advanced ESCC. Validation of this model in larger, prospective, multicenter studies is essential.

Diagnostic performance of MRI for assessment of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in oesophageal cancer

Background

Patients with a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for oesophageal cancer may benefit from non‐surgical management. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of visual response assessment of the primary tumour after nCRT on T2‐weighted (T2W) and diffusion‐weighted (DW) MRI.

Methods

Patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer who underwent T2W‐ and DW‐MRI (1·5 T) before and after nCRT in two hospitals, between July 2013 and September 2017, were included in this prospective study. Three radiologists evaluated T2W images retrospectively using a five‐point score for the assessment of residual tumour in a blinded manner and immediately rescored after adding DW‐MRI. Histopathology of the resection specimen was used as the reference standard; ypT0 represented a pCR. Sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and interobserver agreement were calculated.

Results

Twelve of 51 patients (24 per cent) had a pCR. The sensitivity and specificity of T2W‐MRI for detection of residual tumour ranged from 90 to 100 and 8 to 25 per cent respectively. Respective values for T2W + DW‐MRI were 90–97 and 42–50 per cent. AUCs for the three readers were 0·65, 0·66 and 0·68 on T2W‐MRI, and 0·71, 0·70 and 0·70 on T2W + DW‐MRI (P = 0·441, P = 0·611 and P = 0·828 for readers 1, 2 and 3 respectively). The κ value for interobserver agreement improved from 0·24–0·55 on T2W‐MRI to 0·55–0·71 with DW‐MRI.

Conclusion

Preoperative assessment of residual tumour on MRI after nCRT for oesophageal cancer is feasible with high sensitivity, reflecting a low chance of missing residual tumour. However, the specificity was low; this results in overstaging of complete responders as having residual tumour and, consequently, overtreatment.

Low-dose spectral insufflation computed tomography protocol preoperatively optimized for T stage esophageal cancer - preliminary research experience

AIM

To evaluate the T stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using preoperative low-dose esophageal insufflation computed tomography (EICT).

METHODS

One hundred and twenty ESCC patients confirmed by surgery or esophagoscopy were divided into three groups. Groups B and C were injected with 300 mgI/kg contrast medium for automatic spectral imaging assist (GSI assist), while group A underwent a conventional 120 kVp computed tomography (CT) scan with a 450 mgI/kg contrast medium injection. EICT was performed in group C. Group A was reconstructed with filtered back projection, and groups B and C were reconstructed with 50% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. The contrast-to-noise ratio of lesion-to-mediastinal adipose tissue and the radiation dose were measured. Specific imaging features were observed, and T stage ESCCs were evaluated.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and accuracy of the T1/2 stage were higher in group C than in groups A and B (sensitivity: 43.75% vs 31.82% and 33.33%; accuracy: 54.29% vs 46.67% and 52.50%, respectively). With regard to the T3 stage, the sensitivity and specificity in group C were higher than those in groups A and B (sensitivity: 56.25% vs 41.17% and 44.44%; specificity: 73.68% vs 67.86% and 63.64%, respectively). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the T4 stage were similar among all groups. There were no significant differences in volume CT dose index [(5.91 ± 2.57) mGy vs (3.24 ± 1.20) vs (3.65 ± 1.77) mGy], dose-length product [(167.10 ± 99.08) mGy•cm vs (113.24 ± 54.46) mGy•cm vs (117.98 ± 32.32) mGy•cm] and effective dose [(2.52 ± 1.39) vs (1.63 ± 0.76) vs (1.73 ± 0.44) mSv] among the groups (P > 0.05). However, groups B and C received similar effective doses but lower iodine loads than group A [(300 vs 450) mgI/kg].

CONCLUSION

EICT combined with GSI assist allows differential diagnosis between the T1/2 and T3 stages. The ability to differentially diagnose the T3 and T4 stages of medullary ESCC can be improved by quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing the adipose tissue in front of the vertebral body.

Clinical implication of the innovations of the 8th edition of the TNM classification for esophageal and esophago-gastric cancer

Epidemiology of esophageal cancer and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) has deeply changed for the past two decades with a dramatically increase of adenocarcinoma whereas squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has slowly decreased. Moreover, the two histological types differ in a number of features including risks factors, tumor location, tumor biology and outcomes. In acknowledgement of these differences, the newest 8^th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) staging classification of epithelial cancers of the esophagus and EGJ has refined this histology-specific disease stage with incorporation of new anatomic and non-anatomic categories. Based on data-driven of patients collected through the Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration (WECC) group, the 8^th edition database encompasses a six-continent cohort of 22,654 patients among 33 institutions including patients treated with surgery alone and, for the first time, patients treated after neoadjuvant treatment. Anatomic categories include T descriptors (tumor invasion), N descriptors (regional lymph node invasion) and M descriptors (distant site). Non anatomic categories include grade differentiation (G descriptors) and tumor location (L descriptors). Category descriptors are currently assessed by endoscopy with biopsy, by endoscopy ultrasound fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), by thoracic-abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (CT) and whole body flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) fused with CT. The new 8^th edition considers separate and temporally related cancer classification based on the treatment strategy: clinical cTNM (before any treatment), pathologic pTNM (after surgery alone) and postneoadjuvant pathologic ypTNM (after neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery). The 8th edition permits a more robust and reliable random forest-based machine learning analysis. Refinement of each T, N, M categories and subcategories makes the 8^th edition more accurate and more adaptable to the current practice including neoadjuvant regimen. The main objective of this review is to examine the current staging of esophageal cancer and the new aspects of the 8^th edition with its applications to clinical practice.

Endoscopic evaluation of the esophageal cancer patient after chemoradiotherapy for persistent/recurrent cancer

Endoscopy has an important role in the pre- and post-treatment staging of esophageal cancer. Complete pathologic response following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy occurs in approximately 25% of patients. However, the ability to accurately detect this preoperatively with currently available endoscopic modalities is limited such that the default pathway is for fit patients to proceed with surgical resection. This article discusses the available endoscopic modalities (primarily Esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD] with mucosal biopsies and endoscopic ultrasonography with or without fine needle aspiration) used for post-treatment staging of esophageal cancer. We present data regarding the benefits and limitations of endoscopic methods in assessing for residual disease. Unfortunately, endoscopic modalities are not accurate enough to identify complete pathological responsers who may avoid surgical resection.

Sequential endoscopic ultrasound identifies predictive variables for relapse-free follow-up after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The accuracy of endosonographic tumor staging after neoadjuvant therapy is less reliable than in primary staging. Therefore, the value of sequential endosonographic examinations after neaodjuvant chemotherapy in gastro-esophageal cancer is discussed controversially. Previous data suggest, that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) after neoadjuvant treatment using other variables than classic uTN-criteria may identify patients with a better prognosis.

METHODS

In 67 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer treated in curative intent, we performed EUS before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Endosonographic yTN-stage was compared to pathohistological yTN-stage after curative resection. The uTN-stage, yuTN-stage, maximal tumor thickness and maximal lymph node diameter as well as the shift of these variables after neoadjuvant therapy were analyzed for their usefulness to predict recurrence-free follow-up.

RESULTS

Accuracy of EUS for yTN-staging after neoadjuvant therapy was poor, especially in lower tumor stages. However, three heavily correlated variables analyzed by sequential EUS could be used for the prediction of prognosis: low endosonographic tumor stage (yuT0-2) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a decrease of two or more steps in uT-stage and a maximal tumor thickness of <15 mm after chemotherapy were significantly associated with recurrence-free follow-up. Endosonographic T-stage before neoadjuvant therapy, as well as lymph node variables before or after chemotherapy, were of no predictive value.

CONCLUSION

In spite of poor concordance between endosonographic and pathohistological TN-stage after neoadjuvant treatment, sequential EUS, performed before and after neoadjuvant therapy, possibly identify patients at risk for tumor relapse after multimodal treatment in gastric cancer. This finding should be validated in a larger patient cohort.

Routine staging with endoscopic ultrasound in patients with obstructing esophageal cancer and dysphagia rarely impacts treatment decisions

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been routinely utilized for the locoregional staging of esophageal cancer. One important aspect of clinical staging has been to stratify patients to treatment with neoadjuvant chemoradiation or primary surgical therapy. We hypothesized that EUS may have a limited impact on clinical decision making in patients with dysphagia and obstructing esophageal masses.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included all patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma undergoing esophageal EUS between July 2008 and September 2013. Dysplastic Barrett's esophagus without invasive adenocarcinoma or incomplete staging was excluded. Patient demographics, endoscopic tumor characteristics, the presence of dysphagia, sonographic staging, and post-EUS therapy were recorded. Pathologic staging for patients who underwent primary surgical therapy was also recorded. Locally advanced disease was defined as at least T3 or N1, as these patients are typically treated with neoadjuvant therapy.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixteen patients underwent EUS for esophageal adenocarcinoma, with 147 (68.1%) patients having symptoms of dysphagia on initial presentation. Patients with dysphagia were significantly more likely to have locally advanced disease on EUS than patients without dysphagia (p < 0.0001). Additionally, 145 (67.1%) patients had a partially or completely obstructing mass on initial endoscopy, of which 136 (93.8%) were locally advanced (p < 0.0001 vs. non-obstructing lesions).

CONCLUSIONS

An overwhelming majority of patients presenting with dysphagia and/or the presence of at least partially obstructing esophageal mass at the time of esophageal cancer diagnosis had an EUS that demonstrated at least locally advanced disease. The present study supports the hypothesis that EUS may be of limited benefit for management of esophageal cancer in patients with an obstructing mass and dysphagia.

Persistent Dysphagia After Induction Chemotherapy in Patients with Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Predicts Poor Post-Operative Outcomes

PURPOSE

Preoperative therapy is frequently employed in the management of esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, many patients are found to have advanced pathologic stage and have poor outcomes. A prognostic factor which identifies this patient population before surgery would be desirable, as alternative treatment strategies may be warranted.

METHODS

Between 2/08 and 1/12, 60 evaluable patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma enrolled in single-arm phase II trial of induction chemotherapy, surgery, and post-operative adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). A clinical stage of T3, N1, or M1a (AJCC 6th) was required for eligibility. Induction chemotherapy with epirubicin 50 mg/m² d1, oxaliplatin 130 mg/m² d1, and fluorouracil 200 mg/m²/day continuous infusion for 3 weeks, was given every 21 days for 3 cycles and was followed by surgical resection. Adjuvant CRT consisted of 50-55 Gy @ 1.8-2.0 Gy/day and 2 cycles of cisplatin (20 mg/m²/day) and fluorouracil (1000 mg/m²/day) given as 96-h infusions during weeks 1 and 4 of radiotherapy. Dysphagia was assessed at baseline and after induction chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Persistent dysphagia was associated with worse distant metastatic control [HR 3.48 (1.43-8.43), p = 0.006], recurrence free survival [HR 3.04 (1.34-6.92), p = 0.008], and overall survival [HR 3.31 (1.43-7.66), p = 0.005]. Persistent dysphagia was associated with more advanced pathologic T descriptor (pT) (p = 0.048) and N descriptor (pN) (p = 0.002), a greater median number of involved lymph nodes (3 v 1, p = 0.003), and greater residual tumor viability (p = 0.05). No patients with persistent dysphagia had pT0-T2 or pN0 disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent dysphagia after induction chemotherapy is associated with more advanced pathologic stage and inferior outcomes.

Prognostic factors for salvage endoscopic resection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Endoscopic resection is one treatment option for residual or locally recurrent esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. However, little is known about the clinical benefit of salvage endoscopic resection for these lesions. Therefore, the effectiveness and prognostic factors of salvage endoscopic resection were investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 37 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who underwent salvage endoscopic resection after definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone were reviewed. The method of salvage endoscopic resection was endoscopic mucosal resection using a cap (EMR-C), strip biopsy, or endoscopic submucosal dissection. The effectiveness and prognostic factors of salvage endoscopic resection were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 37 patients with 49 lesions underwent salvage endoscopic resection. Baseline clinical stages were I in 23 patients, II in 3 patients, III in 9 patients, and IV in 2 patients. The number of locoregional recurrences and residual lesions were 35 and 14, respectively. The curative en bloc resection rate was 53.1 % (26/49). The total incidence of complications was 18.9 % (7/37); all were successfully managed conservatively. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 72.9 % and 53.3 %, respectively, with a median follow-up period of 54 months. Baseline clinical T1 - 2 and N0 were significant factors for good prognosis in terms of overall survival on univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage endoscopic resection, especially EMR-C, is a safe and feasible procedure to control residual or recurrent superficial esophageal SCC after definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. The present results showed that baseline clinical T1 - 2 and N0 before chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy were significant prognostic factors.

Salvage photodynamic therapy for local failure after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a less-invasive salvage treatment option for local failure at the primary site after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The objective of this study was to clarify the long-term outcomes and prognostic factors of salvage PDT.

METHODS

One hundred thirteen consecutive patients treated in our institution with PDT for local failure limited to within T2 without any metastases after definitive CRT performed between 1998 and 2008 were retrospectively enrolled. The complete response rate, adverse events, and survival outcomes were assessed and prognostic factors were investigated using a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The complete response rate was 58.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.3%-67.5%). The progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) rates at 5 years after salvage PDT were 22.1% (95% CI, 14.3%-30.0%) and 35.9% (95% CI, 26.7%-45.1%). N0 before CRT was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33-0.91, P = .020), whereas the impact of T1 or T2 before CRT on PFS (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.38-1.04, P = .068) and that of a longer period between CRT and PDT on OS (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.39-1.05, P = .078) were marginal. The treatment-related death rate was 1.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage PDT was found to have a superior outcome and a satisfactory safety profile. An earlier clinical stage before CRT and a longer interval between CRT and PDT may be associated with a longer survival period.

Management of Locally Advanced Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus and Gastroesophageal Junction: Finally a Consensus

Opinion statement: Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is increasing in incidence in Western nations leading to increased interest in and opportunity to study optimal management. Randomized trials have now robustly demonstrated the preoperative therapy with chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy alone improves survival outcome for the bulk of curable patients, those with locally advanced T1N1M0 and T2-3 N0-1 M0 disease. Evidence suggests but does not confirm that radiation-containing regimens are more beneficial. Clinical staging is designed to exclude patients with T1N0M0 disease who may be treated with surgery alone and those with metastatic disease who may not benefit from intensive local therapy. The approach to clinical staging includes endoscopy with ultrasound and fine needle aspirate to assess local and regional disease, supplemented by CT and PET scanning primarily to exclude metastatic disease. Minimally invasive approaches to esophagectomy may be used with the goal of reducing complications, but there is no evidence that mortality or ultimate outcome is improved.

Endoscopic biopsy and EUS for the detection of pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Accurate determination of residual cancer status after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for esophageal cancer could assist in selecting the optimal treatment strategy. The aim of this study was to review the evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic biopsy and EUS after nCRT for detecting residual cancer at the primary tumor site (ypT+) and regional lymph nodes (ypN+) as opposed to a pathologic complete response (ypT0 and ypN0).

METHODS

PubMed/Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched. The analysis included diagnostic studies reporting on the accuracy of endoscopic biopsy or EUS in detecting residual cancer versus complete response after nCRT for esophageal cancer with histopathology as the reference standard. Bivariate random-effects models were used to estimate pooled sensitivities and specificities and examine sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies comprising 12 endoscopic biopsy studies (1281 patients), 11 EUS studies reporting on ypT status (593 patients), and 10 EUS studies reporting on ypN status (602 patients), were included. Pooled estimates for sensitivity of endoscopic biopsy after nCRT for predicting ypT+ were 34.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.0%-44.1%) and for specificity 91.0% (95% CI, 85.6%-94.5%). Pooled estimates for sensitivity of EUS after nCRT were 96.4% (95% CI, 91.7%-98.5%) and for specificity were 10.9% (95% CI, 3.5%-29.0%) for detecting ypT+, and 62.0% (95% CI, 46.0%-75.7%) and 56.7% (95% CI, 41.8%-70.5%) for detecting ypN+, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic biopsy after nCRT is a specific but not sensitive method for detecting residual esophageal cancer. Although EUS after nCRT yields a high sensitivity, only a limited number of patients will have negative findings at EUS with still a substantial false-negative rate. Furthermore, EUS provides only moderate accuracy for detecting residual lymph node involvement. Based on these findings, these endoscopic modalities cannot be used to withhold surgical treatment in test-negative patients after nCRT. (

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42015016527.).

Local efficacy and survival outcome of salvage endoscopic therapy for local recurrent lesions after definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Salvage endoscopic therapy (SET), such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), is a less-invasive treatment for local failure at the primary site after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We conducted this retrospective study to clarify the risk factors for local recurrence along with the long term results after SET for recurrent lesions after definitive CRT for ESCC.

METHODS

We enrolled 77 consecutive patients who underwent EMR or PDT for local recurrence without any metastasis after definitive CRT at our institution. We evaluated the local efficacy, local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and overall survival (OS), and investigated the risk factors associated with survival outcome using a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The complete resection rate of EMR was 84.6 % (33/39), and the complete response rate for PDT was 65.8 % (25/38). Twenty-two patients (28.6 %) exhibited local recurrence without metastasis. Thirty-four patients (44.2 %) were alive at 5 years after undergoing only initial SET or with repeated SET. The 5-year LRFS rate was 59.6 %, and the presence of lesions occupying an esophageal circumference of 1/4 or larger was the only significant risk factor (HR: 3.10, 95 % CI: 1.35-7.15, P = 0.008). The 5-year OS rate was 48.4 %, and an advanced T factor before CRT was marginally associated with a poor OS (HR: 1.96, 95 % CI: 0.98-3.92, P = 0.055).

CONCLUSIONS

SET enabled a preferable local control and survival outcome for patients with local recurrence after definitive CRT for ESCC. Careful endoscopic follow-up is needed for patients with a large lesion before SET and those with an advanced T factor before CRT.

Different accuracy of endosonographic tumor staging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy is histologically associated with more or less intensive inflammation and fibrosis. In consequence, accuracy of endosonographic TN-tumor staging after neoadjuvant treatment is hampered. We analyzed whether the kind of treatment chosen [chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or chemotherapy (CT)] differently influences the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound after neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal cancer.

METHODS

We performed serial endoscopic ultrasound examinations in 18 patients after neoadjuvant CRT and 30 patients after neoadjuvant CT. TN-stage was classified according to the standard parameter. Histological examination of the surgical resection specimen served as gold standard.

RESULTS

The most frequent error was overstaging, especially in patients with complete tumor response or minimal residual disease. Accuracy of T-staging was significantly worse after CRT (0.16) than after CT (0.43), obviously due to difficulty in distinguishing residual tumor from treatment-associated fibrosis and inflammation. Accuracy of N-staging was also hampered, but to a less extent (sensitivity/specificity 0.85/0.36 after CRT, and 0.5/0.42 after CT).

CONCLUSIONS

Accuracy of endosonographic TN-tumor staging is significantly more hampered by neoadjuvant CRT than after CT. However, endoscopic ultrasound is insufficient for TN-staging irrespective of the kind of neoadjuvant therapy performed.

Absolute CT perfusion parameter values after the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of the squamous cell esophageal carcinoma correlate with the histopathologic tumor regression grade

PURPOSE

To analyze value of the computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging in response evaluation of the esophageal carcinoma to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) using the histopathology as reference standard.

METHODS

Forty patients with the squamous cell esophageal carcinoma were re-evaluated after the nCRT by CT examination, which included low-dose CT perfusion study that was analyzed using the deconvolution-based CT perfusion software (Perfusion 3.0, GE). Histopathologic assessment of tumor regression grade (TRG) according to Mandard's criteria served as reference standard of response evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r(S)) and Kruskal-Wallis's test.

RESULTS

The perfusion CT parameter values, measured after the nCRT in the segment of the esophagus that had been affected by neoplasm prior to therapy, significantly correlated with the TRG: blood flow (BF) (r(S)=0.851; p<0.001), blood volume (BV) (r(S)=0.732; p<0.001) and mean transit time (MTT) (r(S)=-0.386; p=0.014). Median values of BF and BV significantly differed among TRG 1-4 groups (p<0.001), while maximal esophageal wall thickness did not (p=0.102). Median BF and BV were gradually rose and MTT decreased as TRG increased, from 21.4 ml/min/100 g (BF), 1.6 ml/100 g (BV) and 8.6 s (MTT) in TRG 1 group, to 37.3 ml/min/100 g, 3.5 ml/100 g and 7.5 s in TRG 2 group, 81.4 ml/min/100 g, 4.1 ml/100 g and 3.8 s in TRG 3 group, and 121.1 ml/min/100 g, 4.9 ml/100 g and 3.7 s in TRG 4 group. In all 15 patients who achieved complete histopathologic regression (TRG 1), BF was <30.0 ml/min/100 g.

CONCLUSIONS

CT perfusion could improve the accuracy in response evaluation of the esophageal carcinoma to nCRT.

Neoadjuvant treatment for advanced esophageal cancer: response assessment before surgery and how to predict response to chemoradiation before starting treatment

Patients with advanced esophageal cancer (T3-4, N) have a poor prognosis. Chemoradiation or chemotherapy before esophagectomy with adequate lymphadenectomy is the standard treatment for patients with resectable advanced esophageal carcinoma. However, only patients with major histopathologic response (regression to less than 10% of the primary tumor) after preoperative treatment will have a prognostic benefit of preoperative chemoradiation. Using current therapy regimens about 40% to 50% of the patients show major histopathological response. The remaining cohort does not benefit from this neoadjuvant approach but might benefit from earlier surgical resection. Therefore, it is an aim to develop tools for response prediction before starting the treatment and for early response assessment identifying responders. The current review discusses the different imaging techniques and the most recent studies about molecular markers for early response prediction. The results show that [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has a good sensitivity but the specificity is not robust enough for routine clinical use. Newer positron emission tomography detector technology, the combination of FDG-PET with computed tomography, additional evaluation criteria and standardization of evaluation may improve the predictive value. There exist a great number of retrospective studies using molecular markers for prediction of response. Until now the clinical use is missing. But the results of first prospective studies are promising. A future perspective may be the combination of imaging technics and special molecular markers for individualized therapy. Another aspect is the response assessment after finishing neoadjuvant treatment protocol. The different clinical methods are discussed. The results show that until now no non-invasive method is valid enough to assess complete histopathological response.

Therapeutic approaches to gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas

The following, from the 12th OESO World Conference: Cancers of the Esophagus, includes commentaries on the distinction between adenocarcinomas above, below, or within the gastroesophageal junction; combined modality therapy; tumor markers for use in personalized medicine; PET-CT and endoscopic biopsies in the evaluation of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy; a standardized grading system for tumor regression in squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma; the experimental basis for new approaches to medical treatment; the criteria measuring response in esophageal cancer; and the impact of novel imaging on staging and response assessment.

Diagnostic performance of EUS in predicting advanced cancer among patients with Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia/early adenocarcinoma: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The role of EUS among patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or suspected mucosal carcinoma is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To define the role of EUS in detecting advanced disease among patients with BE.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central databases.

PATIENTS

Patients with BE and HGD or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) who were referred for endoscopic evaluation and underwent EUS.

INTERVENTIONS

EUS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Pooled proportion of patients with advanced EAC identified by EUS among patients with BE who are referred for HGD or EAC (with or without visible lesions). Forest plots were used to contrast effect sizes in each of the studies and random effect models when tests of heterogeneity were significant (I(2) > 50% or P < .1 for the Q statistic).

RESULTS

Of 1278 articles, 47 were reviewed in full text, and 11 articles met the inclusion criteria, including a total of 656 patients. Based on a random-effects model, the proportion of patients with advanced disease detected on EUS was 14% (95% confidence interval, 8%-22%; P < .0001). In a subanalysis, the pooled proportion of patients with advanced disease on EUS in the absence of nodules was 4% (95% confidence interval, 2%-6%, P < .0001).

LIMITATIONS

Significant heterogeneity among studies.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS will result in a change in the therapeutic approach among in a significant minority of patients with BE who are referred for HGD or EAC.

Clinical tools to predict outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer treated with definitive chemoradiation: are we there yet?

Definitive chemoradiation (CRT) is a well-established treatment for esophageal cancer, but disease recurrence is common and many patients do not achieve initial remission with CRT alone. Predictors of outcome with CRT are needed to guide prognosis and further treatment decisions, in particular the need for post-CRT surgery. We review the role of baseline clinical factors, such as histology and tumor bulk, in predicting response to CRT. Post-CRT assessments, particularly PET imaging, may provide further information about the likelihood of complete response and survival, but the predictive power of clinical assessments remains limited. Emerging research on biomarkers holds promise for more tailored and accurate prediction of outcome with definitive CRT.

A phase II trial of induction epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and fluorouracil, followed by surgery and postoperative concurrent cisplatin and fluorouracil chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction

INTRODUCTION

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy improves local control in patients with locoregionally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Distant failure remains common, however, suggesting potential benefit from additional chemotherapy. This phase II study investigated the addition of induction chemotherapy to surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

Patients with cT3-4 or N1 or M1a (American Joint Committee on Cancer 6th edition) adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and GEJ were eligible. Induction chemotherapy, with epirubicin 50 mg/m/d, oxaliplatin 130 mg/m/d, and fluorouracil 200 mg/m/d continuous infusion for 3 weeks, was given every 21 days for three courses, followed by surgery. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy consisted of 50 to 55 Gy at 1.8 to 2.0 Gy/d and two courses of cisplatin (20 mg/m/d) and fluorouracil (1000 mg/m/d) during weeks 1 and 4 of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Between February 2008 and January 2012, 60 evaluable patients enrolled. Resection was accomplished in 54 patients (90%) and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in 48 (80%) patients. Toxicity included unplanned hospitalization in 18% of patients during induction chemotherapy and 19% of patients during adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. There was one chemotherapy-related and two postoperative deaths. With a median follow-up of 43 months, the projected 3-year locoregional control is 88%, distant metastatic control 46%, relapse-free survival 41%, and overall survival 47%. Symptomatic response to chemotherapy and the percentage of remaining viable tumor at surgery proved the strongest predictors of survival and distant control.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemotherapy, surgery, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy are feasible and produce outcomes similar to other multimodality treatment schedules in locoregionally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and GEJ. Symptomatic response and less residual tumor at surgery were associated with improved outcomes.

Staging accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound for esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a meta-analysis and systematic review

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the staging of esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Articles were searched in Medline, Pubmed, Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, Google scholar, and EMBASE. Two reviewers independently searched and extracted data. Meta-analysis of the accuracy of EUS was analyzed by calculating pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios (LR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Pooling was conducted using either fixed-effects model or random-effects model depending on the heterogeneity across studies. Sixteen studies (n = 724) were included in this analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of EUS to diagnose T1 stage tumor was 23% (95% confidence interval [CI] 16-32%) and 95% (95%CI 93-97%), respectively. For T2 stage, EUS had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 29% (95%CI 19-41%) and 84% (95%CI 77-88%). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of EUS were 81% (95%CI 72-88%) and 42% (95%CI 33-52%) in determining T3 stage tumor. To diagnose T4 stage tumor, EUS had a pooled sensitivity of 43% (95%CI 31-56%) and specificity of 96% (95%CI 94-97%), respectively. In determining N stage, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of EUS were 69% (95%CI 58-79%) and 52% (95%CI 42-62%). EUS is a moderately accurate technique in staging esophageal cancer after NAC. Its sensitivity is relatively high in T3 while specificity is high in other T stages (T1, T2, and T4). Tumors restaged by EUS as T4 should not be assigned to surgery because it is very likely to be inoperable. EUS is not reliable for N staging with its poor sensitivity and specificity. Subgroup analysis shows that staging accuracy did not improve with time.

Review on novel concepts of columnar lined esophagus

BACKGROUND

Columnar lined esophagus (CLE) is a marker for gastroesophageal reflux and associates with an increased cancer risk among those with Barrett's esophagus. Recent studies fostered the development of integrated CLE concepts.

METHODS

Using PubMed, we conducted a review of studies on novel histopathological concepts of nondysplastic CLE.

RESULTS

Two histopathological concepts-the squamo-oxyntic gap (SOG) and the dilated distal esophagus (DDE), currently model our novel understanding of CLE. As a consequence of reflux, SOG interposes between the squamous lined esophagus and the oxyntic mucosa of the proximal stomach. Thus the SOG describes the histopathology of CLE within the tubular esophagus and the DDE, which is known to develop at the cost of a shortened lower esophageal sphincter and foster increased acid gastric reflux. Histopathological studies of the lower end of the esophagus indicate, that the DDE is reflux damaged, dilated, gastric type folds forming esophagus and cannot be differentiated from proximal stomach by endoscopy. While the endoscopically visible squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) defines the proximal limit of the SOG, the assessment of the distal limit requires the histopathology of measured multilevel biopsies. Within the SOG, CLE types distribute along a distinct zonation with intestinal metaplasia (IM; Barrett's esophagus) and/or cardiac mucosa (CM) at the SCJ and oxyntocardiac mucosa (OCM) within the distal portion of the SOG. The zonation follows the pH-gradient across the distal esophagus. Diagnosis of SOG and DDE includes endoscopy, histopathology of measured multi-level biopsies from the distal esophagus, function, and radiologic tests. CM and OCM do not require treatment and are surveilled in 5 year intervals, unless they associate with life quality impairing symptoms, which demand medical or surgical therapy. In the presence of an increased cancer risk profile, it is justified to consider radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of IM within clinical studies in order to prevent the progression to dysplasia and cancer. Dysplasia justifies RFA ± endoscopic resection.

CONCLUSIONS

SOG and DDE represent novel concepts fusing the morphological and functional aspects of CLE. Future studies should examine the impact of SOG and DDE for monitoring and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Endoscopic ultrasound in staging esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy--results of a multicenter cohort analysis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is considered a gold standard in the initial staging of esophageal cancer. There is an ongoing debate whether EUS is useful for tumor staging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS

Ninety-five patients with esophageal cancer were retrospectively analyzed. In 45 patients, EUS was performed prior to and after NAC, while 50 patients had no induction therapy. Histological correlation through surgery was available. uT/uN classifications were compared to pT/pN stages. Statistical analysis included calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates. Agreement between endosonography and T staging was assessed with Cohen's kappa statistics.

RESULTS

For those patients with prior NAC, overall accuracy of yuT and yuN classification was 29 and 62%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates for local tumor extension after NAC were as follows (%): T1: -/97/84, T2: 13/76/53, T3:86/29/46, T4:20/100/91, T1/2: 27/83/56, T3/4: 89/31/56. Cohen's kappa indicated poor agreement (kappa = 0.129) between yuT classification and ypT stage. Relative to positive lymph node detection, sensitivity and specificity were 100 and 6%, respectively (kappa = 0.06). T stage was overstaged in 23 (51%) and understaged in seven (16%) patients.

CONCLUSION

EUS is an unreliable tool for staging esophageal cancer after NAC. Overstaging of the T stage is common after NAC.

Accuracy of multidetector-row CT for restaging after neoadjuvant treatment in patients with oesophageal cancer

OBJECTIVES

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of 64-multidetector CT (MDCT) for restaging of patients with oesophageal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy.

METHODS

Results of pathological staging were correlated with those from 64-MDCT before and after neoadjuvant treatment in 35 patients using the American Joint Committee on Cancer/TNM classification (7th edition). CT response was determined using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) method, modified for one-dimensional tumour diameter measurement.

RESULTS

64-MDCT predicted T stage correctly in 34 % (12/35), overstaged in 49 % (17/35) and understaged in 17 % (6/35). Sensitivity/specificity values were as follows: T0, 20 %/92 %; T1-T2, 31 %/59 %; T3, 60 %/64 %; T4, 100 %/4 %. Negative predictive values for T3/T4 were 80 %/100 %. MDCT accurately predicted complete histopathological response in 20 % (accuracy 74 %) and overstaged in 80 %. Tumour regression grade was predicted correctly in only 8 % (2/25) and underestimated in 68 % (17/25). Accurate N stage was noted in 69 % (24/35).

CONCLUSION

Although MDCT tends to be able to exclude advanced tumour stages (T3, T4) with a higher likelihood, the diagnostic accuracy of high resolution MDCT for restaging oesophageal cancer and assessing the response to neoadjuvant therapy has not improved in comparison to older-generation CT. Therefore, the future assessment of oesophageal tumour response should focus on combined morphologic and metabolic imaging.

KEY POINTS

• Multidetector CT (MDCT) has been beneficial for the evaluation of many tumours. • However diagnostic accuracy for restaging oesophageal cancer has not improved with MDCT. • MDCT tends to be able to exclude advanced tumour stages (T3/T4). • MDCT has a low accuracy for determining lymph node metastasis. • Oesophageal tumour response should be assessed by combined morphological and metabolic imaging.

Miniprobe endoscopic ultrasound accurately stages esophageal cancer and guides therapeutic decisions in the era of neoadjuvant therapy: results of a multicenter cohort analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in imaging techniques, adequate classification of esophageal lesions is still challenging. Accurate staging of tumors of the esophagus is a precondition for targeted therapy. In this retrospective, multicenter study, we report the role of high-frequency endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) catheter probes in pretherapeutic staging of esophageal neoplasms and thus guiding treatment decisions.

METHODS

A total of 143 patients (mean age of 63.8 ± 10.7 years) with esophageal carcinoma were recruited from five German centers (Münster, Oldenburg, Hannover, Wiesbaden, and Lüneburg). Tumor type was adenocarcinoma in 112 (78 %) cases and squamous cell carcinoma in 31 (22 %). Tumor localization was as follows: proximal 3, mid esophagus 7, and distal third 133. Histological correlation either through EMR or surgery was available. In all patients, pretherapeutic uT and uN classifications were compared to pT/pN classification obtained from surgically (esophagectomy, n = 93) or endoscopically (EMR, n = 50) resected tissue.

RESULTS

Overall, accuracy of uT classification was 60 % and of uN classification was 74 %. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates for local tumor extension were as follows (%): T1: 68/97/83; T2: 39/84/75; T3: 72/81/79; T4: 13/97/93; T1/2: 73/81/75; T3/4: 78/82/81. Relating to positive lymph node detection, sensitivity and specificity were 76 and 71 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Miniprobe EUS is an established method for the staging of esophageal tumors. Our large multicenter cohort shows a solid accuracy of miniprobe EUS with respect to differentiating locally advanced from limited cancer and assisting to determine the treatment regimen in the era of neoadjuvant therapy; consequently, 78 % of patients would have been assigned to the adequate therapeutic regimen, whereas 11 % of patients would have been overtreated and 11 % undertreated.