Clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for treating early gastric cancer: comparison with endoscopic mucosal resection after circumferential precutting (EMR-P)

Prevalence, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of oxyntic gland neoplasm: a single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Oxyntic gland neoplasm (OGN) is a rare subtype of gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, clinicopathological features, effectiveness and safety of endoscopic treatment, as well as the prognosis of OGN.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients pathologically diagnosed with OGN at our hospital from November 1, 2019 to May 1, 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 36 patients with 45 lesions were identified, resulting in a disease frequency of 0.047% (36/76,832). The mean age was 55.0 ± 7.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio of about 1:1.12. Most lesions were ≤10 mm in size (84.4%), located in the upper third of the stomach (73.3%), exhibited slight elevation (75.5%), appeared whitish (55%), had dilated blood vessels on the surface (75.5%). 16 and 21 lesions were treated by precutting endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR-P) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), respectively. No significant differences were found between EMR-P and ESD in terms of en bloc resection rate (100% vs 100%, p = 1.000), complete resection rate (100% vs 90.5%, p = 0.495), and curative resection rate (93.8% vs 90.5%, p = 1.000). No complications such as bleeding and perforation were observed. No recurrence or metastasis was observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

OGN is a rare tumor with unique clinical, endoscopic, and pathological characteristics. EMR-P and ESD are deemed safe and effective for treating OGNs. The relatively faster and easier EMR-P seems at least non-inferior to ESD, especially for removal of smaller OGNs. The overall prognosis is favorable.

Effect of endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection on postoperative wound complications in patients with gastric cancer: A meta-analysis

Endoscopic submucosa dissection (ESD) allows complete excision of the whole lesion, which results in a higher percentage of complete excision and an improved quality of life by minimizing the amount of excision as opposed to an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Although ESD is now being carried out in the majority of hospitals, ESD's possible complications (such as trauma and perforation) have given rise to doubts about ESD practices in patients with early-stage stomach cancer when deciding on therapy and reimbursement. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ESD over EMR in treating early-stage stomach cancer. Four main databases have been searched, including EMBASE and published. The ROBINS-I tool suggested in the Cochrane Handbook has been applied to evaluate the quality of the chosen trials. It may better reflect the risk of bias in the included studies. The meta-analyses were carried out with ReMan 5.3, and the results were treated with endote. Seven cohort studies have been completed. Meta analysis indicated that EMR and ESD surgery did not differ significantly from each other in terms of postoperative haemorrhage (OR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.56,1.04 p = 0.09); EMR, however, was associated with a lower rate of postoperative perforation than ESD surgery (OR, 0.36; 95%CI, 0.24,0.54 p < 0.0001). Taking into account that ESD and EMR did not differ significantly in the risk of wound bleeding, even though the risk of perforation is not likely to result in life-threatening illness. In the analysis of these data, however, the potential advantages of EMR might be greater than ESD.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Gastric Underwater Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Gastric cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, necessitates effective and early detection and treatment strategies. Endoscopic resection techniques, particularly endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), have evolved significantly, enhancing the treatment of gastric neoplasms. Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) is a widely used technique for the resection of duodenal and colorectal neoplasms. However, the feasibility and efficacy of UEMR in the stomach are not well established. This retrospective observational study, conducted at a tertiary medical center, evaluated the efficacy and safety of UEMR in 81 patients with gastric neoplasms. Thus, it indicates that UEMR is a highly effective and safe technique for managing small to medium-sized gastric neoplasms, achieving 100% en bloc and 93.8% R0 resection rates with a low incidence of complications. Moreover, the procedure time was found to be significantly shorter for UEMR compared to ESD, thus highlighting its efficiency. While UEMR demonstrates high safety and efficacy, it is not suitable for all patients, with some requiring conversion to ESD as a treatment option. Despite the promising results, broader validation through extensive and randomized trials is recommended to establish UEMR as a standard approach in gastric cancer management.

Efficacy and safety of precutting endoscopic mucosal resection versus endoscopic submucosal dissection for non-ampullary superficial duodenal lesions

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic treatments for non-ampullary superficial duodenal lesions (NASDLs) are yet to be standardized. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for NASDLs demands advanced techniques and a long procedure time to prevent perforation and bleeding. Precutting endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a technical modification of ESD that overcomes the limitations of ESD. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of precutting EMR versus ESD for NASDLs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with NASDLs treated with either precutting EMR or ESD from January 2015 to March 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients with NASDLs were analyzed, with 44 patients in the precutting EMR group and 46 patients in the ESD group. The endoscopic procedure achieved satisfactory outcomes in both groups, with en block resection rate of 100.0 %. The R0 resection rates in the precutting EMR and ESD groups were 95.5 % and 93.5 %, respectively. No delayed perforation occurred postoperatively in either group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, gender, lesion location, layer of lesion origin, macroscopic type, and lesion size. The procedure time was significantly shorter in the precutting EMR group than in the ESD group (22.9 ± 7.1 min vs 36.0 ± 10.6 min, p<0.001). The intraoperative perforation rate was significantly lower in the precutting EMR group compared to ESD group (4.5% vs 19.6 %, p = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

Precutting EMR is comparable to ESD for NASDLs, demonstrating a lower intraoperative perforation rate and shorter procedure time compared to ESD.

Delayed Perforation Occurring after Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: Clinical Features and Management Strategy

Background/Aims

Delayed perforation is a rare but serious adverse event of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features and appropriate management strategy of patients with delayed perforation.

Methods

Among 11,531 patients who underwent gastric ESD, the clinical features and outcomes of patients who experienced delayed perforation were retrospectively reviewed and compared with those of the control group.

Results

Delayed perforation occurred in 15 of 11,531 patients (0.13%). The patients with delayed perforation were significantly older than those without delayed perforation (p=0.027). The median time to diagnosis of delayed perforation was 28.8 hours (range, 14 to 71 hours). All 15 patients with delayed perforation complained of severe abdominal pain after gastric ESD and underwent subsequent chest X-rays (CXRs) for evaluation. In subsequent CXR, free air was found in 12 patients (80%). For three (20%) patients without free air in CXR, delayed perforation was finally diagnosed by computed tomography. Leukocytosis was significantly less frequent in the patients without free air in CXR (p=0.022). A perforation hole smaller than 1 cm in size was more frequently observed in the six patients who underwent successful non-surgical treatments than in the nine patients who underwent surgery (p<0.001). There was no mortality related to delayed perforation.

Conclusions

One-fifth of the patients with delayed perforation did not show free air in CXR and exhibited less leukocytosis than those with free air. Non-surgical treatments including endoscopic closure might be considered as an initial treatment modality for delayed perforation smaller than 1 cm.

Effect of renal insufficiency on the short- and long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: Propensity score-matched analysis

OBJECTIVES

It is unclear whether renal insufficiency (RI) itself is a risk factor for adverse outcomes after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gastric ESD in patients with and without RI using propensity score-matching analysis.

METHODS

In all, 4775 patients with 4775 early gastric cancer lesions undergoing ESD were analyzed. 1:1 propensity score-matching was performed between patients with and without RI using 12 variables. After matching, logistic regression and survival analyses were performed for short- and long-term outcomes of ESD, respectively.

RESULTS

The matching yielded 188 pairs of patients with and without RI. In both univariable and multivariable analyses, the presence of RI was not significantly associated with postprocedural bleeding (unadjusted odds ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 0.74-4.42; adjusted odds ratio 1.86, 95% confidence interval 0.74-4.65, respectively). When RI patients were subclassified into patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 , no significant differences in bleeding rates were found compared to their matched controls in both groups. Perforation, en bloc resection, en bloc and R0 resection, and curative resection rates of RI patients were 2.1%, 98.4%, 91.0%, and 78.2%, respectively, which were comparable to those of non-RI patients. During a median follow-up of 119 months, there was no difference in gastric cancer-specific survival between patients with and without RI (P = 0.143).

CONCLUSION

The outcomes of ESD were comparable in patients with and without RI. Decreased renal function itself may not be a reason to keep patients with RI from receiving gastric ESD.

Antithrombotic Therapy Increases the Risk of Bleeding after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Whether antithrombotic agent (ATA) usage increases the risk of gastric post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) bleeding remains controversial. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of usage, type, and cessation timing of ATA on post-ESD bleeding. A total of 4775 early gastric cancer patients undergoing ESD were analyzed; 1:3 propensity score matching between ATA and non-ATA groups resulted in 318 and 767 matched patients in each group, respectively. Outcomes were compared between the two groups using a generalized estimating equation method. After matching, post-ESD bleeding rates in ATA users and non-users were 9.1% and 4.2%, respectively (p = 0.001). In multivariable analysis, ATA usage was independently associated with an increased risk of post-ESD bleeding (adjusted odds ratio: 2.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.34-3.86). Both the continued or insufficient cessation groups and the sufficient cessation group had an increased incidence of post-ESD bleeding compared to their matched controls (12.5% versus 5.2%, p = 0.048; 8.1% versus 3.9%, p = 0.014). Post-ESD bleeding rates in antiplatelet agent users were significantly higher than those of their matched controls (8.3% versus 4.2%, p = 0.010). ATA usage increased the risk of post-ESD bleeding even after its sufficient cessation. Careful observation after ESD is required regardless of the cessation status of ATA.

Advanced Endoscopic Resection Techniques: Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection

Endoscopic resection is first-line therapy in the management of superficial neoplasms throughout the gastrointestinal tract, as well as an increasingly viable therapeutic alternative in the resection of selected small deep lesions throughout the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. The mainstay of therapy has traditionally been endoscopic snare polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection. However, recent innovative advancements in therapeutic endoscopy have provided for the ability to resect large superficial lesions and selected subepithelial lesions in en bloc and margin-negative fashion. In this review, we discuss the current state of the art in advanced endoscopic resection techniques including endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic full-thickness resection.

Endoscopic Resection of Gastric Cancer

With improvements in the early detection of early gastric cancer (EGC) and advances in therapeutic techniques, endoscopic resection (ER) for EGC has become widely adopted in East Asian and Western countries. Endoscopic submucosal dissection has higher rates of en bloc, complete, and curative resections with lower rates of local recurrence than that of endoscopic mucosal resection. ER is a minimally invasive method with low morbidity that provides excellent outcomes. ER for EGC is a safe, effective method, preserving organ function and thus maintaining the patient's quality of life, and is recognized as the first-line treatment of EGC in selected patients.

Reduction in the procedure time of hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric neoplasms: a multi-center retrospective propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric neoplasms is still a technically difficult and time-consuming procedure. Hybrid ESD (H-ESD) involves circumferential incision with partial submucosal dissection combined with subsequent mucosal resection by snaring, wherein the newly developed device allows us to perform H-ESD using a single device. This study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of H-ESD compared with conventional ESD (C-ESD) for early gastric neoplasms.

METHODS

In this multi-center, retrospective study, using propensity score-matched analysis, we reviewed the charts of patients with early gastric neoplasms smaller than 20 mm treated with H-ESD or C-ESD at three hospitals between January 2017 and October 2018. The primary outcome was the procedure time, and the secondary outcomes were other factors, including the en bloc resection rate, complete resection rate, curative resection rate, and rate of adverse events.

RESULTS

Among 215 patients, 29 underwent H-ESD and 186 underwent C-ESD; 29 pairs were created by propensity score matching. In the H-ESD group, 82.8% of lesions met the absolute indication [mucosal lesions limited to 20-mm diameter, dominated by differentiated adenocarcinoma without ulcer (scar)] for endoscopic resection (ER). As a result, the procedure time of H-ESD was significantly shorter than that of C-ESD [20 (interquartile range, 12-27) min versus 40 (30-50) min; p < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in the secondary outcomes between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

H-ESD contributed to reduced procedure time. Therefore, H-ESD could be an alternative endoscopic treatment for gastric neoplasms when the lesion fulfils the absolute indication for ER.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection versus endoscopic mucosal resection for patients with early gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the treatment effects of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) versus endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early gastric cancer (EGC).

DESIGN

Meta-analysis.

METHODS

We systematically searched three electronic databases, including PubMed, EmBase and the Cochrane library for studies published with inception to January 2018. The eligible studies should be evaluated for the efficacy and safety of ESD versus EMR for patients with EGC. The summary ORs and standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were employed as effect estimates. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of single study on overall analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed for investigated outcomes to evaluate the treatment effects of ESD versus EMR for patients with EGC with specific subsets.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies, with a total of 6723 patients with EGC, were included in final analysis. The summary ORs indicated that patients with EGC who received ESD were associated with an increased incidence of en bloc resection (OR: 9.00; 95% CI: 6.66 to 12.17; p<0.001), complete resection (OR: 8.43; 95% CI: 5.04 to 14.09; p<0.001) and curative resection (OR: 2.92; 95% CI: 1.85 to 4.61; p<0.001) when compared with EMR. Furthermore, ESD was associated with lower risk of local recurrence (OR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.34; p<0.001). In addition, there was no significant difference between ESD and EMR for the risk of bleeding (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.80; p=0.203). Though, ESD was correlated with greater risk of perforation (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.48 to 4.39; p=0.001), and longer operation time (SMD: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.13 to 2.10; p=0.026) as compared with EMR. Additionally, several different features observed in included studies and patients could bias the effectiveness of ESD versus EMR in patients with EGC.

CONCLUSIONS

ESD is superior than EMR for en bloc resection, complete resection, curative resection and local recurrence, while it increased perforation risk and longer operation time.

Long-Term Outcomes Comparison of Endoscopic Resection With Gastrectomy for Treatment of Early Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Endoscopic resection (ER) and gastrectomy have been both accepted as curative treatments for early gastric cancer. We intended to compare ER with gastrectomy treatments on safety of patients, disease-free survival and overall survival for early gastric cancer through this systematic review. Methods: A literature search was performed in Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies that have compared ER with gastrectomy for early gastric cancer were included in this meta-analysis. We searched for clinical studies published before March 2019. Stata 12.0 software was used for systematic analysis. Results: Nine studies were included in this systematic review, ER treatment was associated with a shorter length of stay (WMD = -8.53, 95% CI -11.56 to -5.49), fewer postoperative complications (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.34-0.65). ER can be performed safely with shorter hospital stay and fewer postoperative complications than gastrectomy. Recurrence rate was higher for ER than for gastrectomy treatment (HR = 3.56, 95% CI 1.86-6.84), mainly because metachronous gastric cancers developed only in the ER treatment. However, most of the metachronous gastric cancers could be curatively treated with ER again, and it didn't affect overall survival of patients with early gastric cancer. There was no difference in overall survival rate between ER and gastrectomy (HR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.63-1.13). Conclusions: ER and gastrectomy are both acceptable for curative treatment of early gastric cancer. However, due to the comparable overall survival and lower postoperative complications and shorter length of stay, ER is better than gastrectomy for early gastric cancer, who met the indication for ER treatment.

Comparing outcomes for endoscopic submucosal dissection between Eastern and Western countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To compare endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) outcomes between Eastern and Western countries.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL and EBM reviews to identify studies published between 1990 and February 2016. The primary outcome was the efficacy of ESD based on information about either curative resection, en bloc or R0 resection rates. Secondary outcomes were complication rates, local recurrence rates and procedure times.

RESULTS

Overall, 238 publications including 84318 patients and 89512 gastrointestinal lesions resected using ESD were identified. 90% of the identified studies reporting ESD on 87296 lesions were conducted in Eastern countries and 10% of the identified studies reporting ESD outcomes in 2216 lesions were from Western countries. Meta-analyses showed higher pooled percentage of curative, en bloc, and R0 resection in the Eastern studies; 82% (CI: 81%-84%), 95% (CI: 94%-96%) and 89% (CI: 88%-91%) compared to Western studies; 71% (CI: 61%-81%), 85% (CI: 81%-89%) and 74% (CI: 67%-81%) respectively. The percentage of perforation requiring surgery was significantly greater in the Western countries (0.53%; CI: 0.10-1.16) compared to Eastern countries (0.01%; CI: 0%-0.05%). ESD procedure times were longer in Western countries (110 min vs 77 min).

CONCLUSION

Eastern countries show better ESD outcomes compared to Western countries. Availability of local ESD expertise and regional outcomes should be considered for decision making to treat gastrointestinal lesions with ESD.

Clinicopathological features and outcome of type 3 gastric neuroendocrine tumours

BACKGROUND

With the widespread use of endoscopy, small and low-grade type 3 gastric neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are increasingly being detected. The clinicopathological features, biological behaviour and appropriate treatment strategy for these NETs remain unclear.

METHODS

Patients with biopsy-proven gastric NET and a normal fasting serum gastrin level were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Clinicopathological features and long-term outcome of local resection for type 3 NETs were reviewed retrospectively and compared according to tumour grade.

RESULTS

Some 32 patients with type 3 gastric NETs were included (25 patients with NET grade G1, 5 with G2 and 2 with G3). Pathological tumour size was 2·0 cm or less in 30 patients. All tumours were well differentiated, even G3 lesions, and all tumours but one were confined to the submucosal layer. G1 NETs were significantly smaller and had a significantly lower lymphovascular invasion rate than G2 and G3 NETs. Twenty-two patients with a G1 NET without lymphovascular invasion were treated with wedge or endoscopic resection. After a median follow-up of 59 (range 6-102) months, no patient with a G1 NET of 1·5 cm or smaller developed recurrence and one patient with a G1 NET larger than 1·5 cm had recurrence in a perigastric lymph node. Among seven patients with a G2 or G3 NET, two had lymph node metastasis and one had liver metastases.

CONCLUSION

Low-grade type 3 gastric NET has non-aggressive features and a favourable prognosis. Wedge or endoscopic resection may be a valid option for patients with type 3 gastric G1 NET no larger than 1·5 cm without lymphovascular invasion.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric neoplasms using a snare tip

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) enables the complete removal of gastric lesions regardless of tumor size. ESD is typically performed using one of several available electrocautery knives and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is performed using a diathermic snare. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and complications in patients in whom a snare tip was used for ESD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 30 patients who underwent removal of a gastric lesion using a snare tip by ESD or hybrid ESD (ESD with snaring). For hybrid ESD, snaring was performed after an adequate submucosal dissection. The clinical outcomes according to the endoscopic procedure performed were evaluated.

RESULTS

ESD was performed in 12 patients and hybrid ESD was performed in 26 patients. Overall en-bloc and complete resection rates were both 97.4%. There was one case where piece-meal resection was performed in the hybrid ESD group. There were no procedure related complications such as perforation or bleeding. The mean specimen size was 2.8 ± 0.6 cm in the ESD group and 2.3 ± 0.5 cm in the hybrid ESD group (p = .031). The mean procedure time did not differ between the two methods (12.8 min in ESD and 9.7 min in hybrid ESD, p = .060).

CONCLUSIONS

The snare tip can be used as an electrocautery knife to incise the mucosa and dissect the submucosa during removal of a gastric lesion.

Long-Term Clinical Efficacy and Perioperative Safety of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection versus Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Early Gastric Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

To systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) versus endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early gastric cancer (EGC).

METHODS

We searched the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from January 2000 to April 2017 and included studies that compared the outcomes of ESD with EMR for EGC. These eligible studies that met the inclusion criteria were screened out and were assessed by two independent investigators.

RESULT

In total, 18 retrospective cohort studies were eligible for analysis. Our results indicated that ESD is more beneficial than EMR in increasing the complete resection rate and en bloc resection rate and decreasing the local recurrence rate. However, ESD prolonged operative time and increased incidence of gastric perforation than EMR. No differences were found in postoperative bleeding rate between the two approaches.

CONCLUSION

Compared with EMR, ESD offers higher complete resection rate, higher en bloc resection rate, and lower local recurrence rate but has prolonged operative time and increased incidence of gastric perfusion. There is no statistical difference in the rate of postoperative bleeding between the two groups. However, the above conclusion needs further verification by well-designed, randomized trials with larger samples and long follow-up periods.

[Endoscopic and surgical treatment of early gastric and esophageal carcinoma]

BACKGROUND

The treatment of early gastric (EGC) and esophageal carcinomas (EEC) is an interdisciplinary challenge. The risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the crucial point in choosing the correct treatment option.

OBJECTIVE

This article gives an overview of the current treatment options and provides help in choosing the correct therapy.

METHOD

Current concepts and therapy algorithms are presented on the basis of a literature review and data from our own center.

RESULTS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is recommended for mucosal gastric cancer with good or moderate differentiation (G1,2) without macroscopic ulceration, in elevated type lesions smaller than 2 cm in size or depressed lesions smaller than 1 cm in size. In additional chromoendoscopy should be carried out. The extent of surgical resection is defined by the location of the tumor. A safety margin of at least 3 cm should be applied in distal gastric resections whereas the first line goal in gastrectomy is to achieve an R0 resection. In cN0 tumors a D1 lymphadenectomy (LA) seems to be sufficient. Minimally invasive techniques currently show promising results especially for a subtotal resection. The treatment strategy in EEC differs depending on the tumor entity. Mucosal squamous cell carcinoma with high risk factors (L1,V1) and all cN0 submucosal tumors without the detection of LNM should be referred to primary surgical resection. Early stage cN+ squamous cell carcinomas should be preoperatively treated with chemoradiotherapy. Adenocarcinoma with infiltration of the deeper submucosa (sm2,3) and high-risk sm1 tumors require surgical treatment. The standard operating procedure for EEC is an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with 2‑field LA preferably performed as a hybrid or by a completely minimally invasive procedure. The procedure of choice in endoscopic resection of EEC is resection with the suck and cut technique.

Short-Term Outcomes of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Patients with Early Gastric Cancer: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC) that has demonstrated a minimal risk of lymph node metastasis in retrospective studies. We sought to prospectively evaluate the short-term outcomes of ESD treatment in EGCs.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter cohort study of neoplasms 3 cm or less in diameter at endoscopic size evaluation was performed in 12 Korean ESD study grouprelated university hospitals and the National Cancer Center. Resected specimens were evaluated by the central pathologic review board.

RESULTS

A patient cohort (n=712) with a total of 737 EGCs was analyzed. The margin-free en bloc resection rate was 97.3%, and curative resection of 640 lesions (86.8%) was achieved. Lower curative resection rates were associated with lesions 2 to 3 cm in size prior to ESD compared with lesions 2 cm or less in size (78.6% vs 88.1%, respectively, p=0.009). Significant factors associated with noncurative resection were moderately or poorly differentiated histological type, posterior wall tumor location, tumor size larger than 3 cm, ulceration, and submucosal invasion. Delayed bleeding occurred in 49 patients (6.9%), and 12 patients (1.7%) exhibited perforations.

CONCLUSIONS

ESD is an effective treatment with a high curative resection rate for EGCs that meets relatively conservative pre-ESD indications. Long-term survival outcomes should be evaluated in followup studies.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection with Circumferential Mucosal Incision for Colorectal Neoplasms: Comparison with Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and between Two Endoscopists with Different Experiences

Background/Aims

Endoscopic mucosal resection with circumferential mucosal incision (CMI-EMR) may offer benefits comparable to those of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), while requiring less technical proficiency than ESD.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the outcomes of CMI-EMR (n=34) and size-matched ESD (n=102), which were performed by a Korean endoscopist for colorectal epithelial lesions of 20–35 mm. Procedural parameters of CMI-EMRs performed by an American ESD novice (n=30) were compared with those performed by the Korean endoscopist.

Results

The lesion size was 22.3±3.9 mm and 22.9±2.4 mm in the CMI-EMR and size-matched ESD groups, respectively (p=0.730). The resection time was 12.7±7.0 minutes in the CMI-EMR group and 45.6±30.1 minutes in the ESD group (p<0.001). The en bloc resection rate was 94.1% in the CMI-EMR group and 100% in the ESD group (p=0.061). There were no differences in the en bloc resection and complication rates of CMI-EMRs between a Korean and an American endoscopist.

Conclusions

For the treatment of moderate-size colorectal lesions, CMI-EMR showed a trend toward lower en bloc resection rate, but required shorter procedure time than ESD. CMI-EMR outcomes were similar when performed by a Korean ESD expert and an American ESD novice.

Accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography for diagnosing ulcerative early gastric cancers

Although endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the first-choice imaging modality for predicting the invasion depth of early gastric cancer (EGC), the prediction accuracy of EUS is significantly decreased when EGC is combined with ulceration.The aim of present study was to compare the accuracy of EUS and conventional endoscopy (CE) for determining the depth of EGC. In addition, the various clinic-pathologic factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy of EUS, with a particular focus on endoscopic ulcer shapes, were evaluated.We retrospectively reviewed data from 236 consecutive patients with ulcerative EGC. All patients underwent EUS for estimating tumor invasion depth, followed by either curative surgery or endoscopic treatment. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS and CE was evaluated by comparing the final histologic result of resected specimen. The correlation between accuracy of EUS and characteristics of EGC (tumor size, histology, location in stomach, tumor invasion depth, and endoscopic ulcer shapes) was analyzed. Endoscopic ulcer shapes were classified into 3 groups: definite ulcer, superficial ulcer, and ill-defined ulcer.The overall accuracy of EUS and CE for predicting the invasion depth in ulcerative EGC was 68.6% and 55.5%, respectively. Of the 236 patients, 36 patients were classified as definite ulcers, 98 were superficial ulcers, and 102 were ill-defined ulcers, In univariate analysis, EUS accuracy was associated with invasion depth (P = 0.023), tumor size (P = 0.034), and endoscopic ulcer shapes (P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, there is a significant association between superficial ulcer in CE and EUS accuracy (odds ratio: 2.977; 95% confidence interval: 1.255-7.064; P = 0.013).The accuracy of EUS for determining tumor invasion depth in ulcerative EGC was superior to that of CE. In addition, ulcer shape was an important factor that affected EUS accuracy.

Meta-analysis comparing differing methods of endoscopic therapy for colorectal lesions

AIM: To compare the outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of colorectal lesions.

METHODS: An electronic systematic literature search of four computerized databases was performed in July 2014 identifying studies reporting the outcomes of colorectal ESD and EMR. The primary outcome measures were en-bloc resection rate, endoscopic clearance rate and lesion recurrence rate of the patients followed up. The secondary outcome was the complication rate (including bleeding, perforation and surgery post EMR or ESD rate). Statistical pooling and random effects modelling of the studies calculating risk difference, heterogeneity and assessment of bias and quality were performed.

RESULTS: Six observational studies reporting the outcomes of 1324 procedures were included. The en-bloc resection rate was 50% higher in the ESD group than in the EMR group (95%CI: 0.17-0.83, P < 0.0001, I² = 99.7%). Endoscopic clearance rates were also significantly higher in the ESD group (95%CI: -0.06-0.02, P < 0.0001, I² = 92.5%). The perforation rate was 7% higher in the ESD group than the EMR group (95%CI: 0.05-0.09, P > 0.05, I² = 41.1%) and the rate of recurrence was 50% higher in the EMR group than in the ESD group (95%CI: 0.20-0.79, P < 0.001, I² = 99.5%). Heterogeneity remained consistent when subgroup analysis of high quality studies was performed (with the exception of piecemeal resection rate), and overall effect sizes remained unchanged for all outcomes.

CONCLUSION: ESD demonstrates higher en-bloc resection rates and lower recurrence rates compared to colorectal EMR. Differences in outcomes may benefit from increased assessment through well-designed comparative studies.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Neoplasia Occurring in the Remnant Stomach after Distal Gastrectomy

Background/Aims:

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for tumors occurring in the remnant stomach is technically difficult to perform because of limited working space and severe fibrosis and staples present around the suture line. We aimed to elucidate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of performing ESD for tumors in the remnant stomach.

Methods:

Between December 2007 and January 2013, 18 patients underwent ESD for tumors (six adenomas and 12 differentiated-type early gastric cancers [EGCs]) occurring in the remnant stomach after distal gastrectomy. Clinicopathologic features and clinical outcomes after ESD were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

Two-thirds of the lesions were located on the body, and half were located on the suture line. En bloc resection, R0 resection, and en bloc with R0 resection rates were 88.9%, 100%, and 88.9%, respectively. Curative resection rate for EGC was 91.7%. Perforation occurred in one patient (5.6%) and was successfully managed by endoscopic closure with metallic clips and conservative management. There was no significant bleeding after ESD. During a median follow-up of 47.5 months, no local, metachronous, or extragastric recurrence was seen for either EGC or adenoma lesions.

Conclusions:

ESD is a feasible and effective treatment modality and can be considered a primary intervention for early gastric neoplasia occurring in the remnant stomach.

Second-look endoscopy and factors associated with delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a widely used procedure as curative treatment for superficial gastric neoplasms, including early gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis. However, ESD requires advanced endoscopic skill and there is a major concern regarding complications from bleeding. So far, extensive efforts have been made to develop strategies to reduce post-ESD bleeding. Use of proton pump inhibitors and coagulating exposed vessels on the ulcer floor after ESD are strategies known to reduce the risk of delayed bleeding. Second-look endoscopy (SLE) is also carried out to reduce delayed bleeding following ESD in many institutions. However, the incidence of bleeding still remains around 5%, and further measures are needed to reduce delayed bleeding after gastric ESD. Recently, three randomized studies indicated that routine SLE was unnecessary. Although routine SLE may not be recommended for all patients after gastric ESD, SLE might be an important tool for the prevention of the delayed bleeding in selected high-risk patients. Thus, the identification of the risk factors, such as large size of resected specimen and treatment with multiple antiplatelet medications, may help to further guide clinicians in deciding whether to perform SLE. Studies carried out on larger cohorts are necessary to clarify the efficacy of SLE after ESD in the prevention of post-ESD bleeding in potentially high-risk patients.

Diagnostic group classifications of gastric neoplasms by endoscopic resection criteria before and after treatment: real-world experience

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

There are often discrepancies between the pretreatment evaluation of gastric neoplasms by endoscopy with biopsy and the final diagnosis of resected specimen in terms of pathology and depth of invasion. We evaluated the spectrum of discrepancies between pretreatment and posttreatment diagnosis which may deliver significant differences on clinical practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 2041 patients with gastric dysplasia or cancer who underwent curative endoscopic resections or surgeries in 2012 were enrolled. Patients were classified into five different diagnostic groups: low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), absolute indication early gastric cancer (AI-EGC), beyond absolute indication early gastric cancer (BAI-EGC), and advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The choice of initial treatment and final pathologic diagnosis was analyzed.

RESULTS

The study patients belonged to the following pretreatment diagnostic groups: LGDs in 162, HGDs in 164, AI-EGCs in 396, BAI-EGCs in 824, and AGCs in 495 cases. Posttreatment diagnostic groups were LGDs in 140, HGDs in 121, AI-EGCs in 322, BAI-EGCs in 947, AGCs in 505, and no residual tumor in 6 cases. In general, 6.9 % (141/2041) of cases were downgraded and 15.9 % (324/2041) were upgraded. Thirty-four percent of pretreatment HGDs (56/164) were changed to cancers after endoscopic resection. Thirty-three percent of pretreatment AI-EGCs (131/396) were regrouped as posttreatment BAI-EGCs. The additional surgery rate in each pretreatment group was 0.6 % in LGD, 4.3 % in HGD, 15.7 % in AI-EGC, 23.6 % in BAI-EGC among the patients with initial endoscopic resection (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Twenty-three percent of gastric neoplasms changed in their final diagnostic group after endoscopic resection or surgery. This discrepancy should be considered when the initial treatment strategy is being selected.

Comparing endoscopic mucosal resection with endoscopic submucosal dissection: the different endoscopic techniques for colorectal tumors

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are used for the removal of colorectal tumors. There are no current guidelines or consensus on the optimal treatment strategy for these lesions. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effectiveness and safety of ESD and EMR for colorectal tumors.

METHODS

For the years 1966 until October 2014, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for articles comparing the effectiveness and safety of ESD and EMR. STATA 11.0 and RevMan 5.0 were used for meta-analysis and publication bias.

RESULTS

Seventeen articles were included in this meta-analysis. ESD was more effective than EMR in endoscopic complete resection rate (odds ratio [OR] = 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-5.70; Z = 2.86; P = 0.004) and pathologic complete resection rate (OR = 2.81; 95% CI, 1.39-5.70; Z = 2.86; P = 0.004). ESD resulted in a higher perforation rate (OR = 5.27; 95% CI, 2.75-10.08; Z = 5.01; P < 0.00001) and a lower recurrence rate (OR = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.06-0.30; Z = 5.04; P < 0.00001). The tumor size was larger in the ESD group (OR = 3.09; 95% CI, 1.54-4.63; Z = 3.92; P < 0.0001), and the procedure time was longer in the ESD group (OR = 21.39; 95% CI, 10.33-32.46; Z = 3.79; P = 0.0002). But bleeding rate did not differ significantly (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 0.81-2.20; Z = 1.14; P = 0.25). There was no publication bias analyzed by Begg test and Egger test.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates that ESD is the better treatment for colorectal tumors for its higher complete resection rate despite the longer procedure time and higher perforation rate.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on outcomes after Rx or R1 endoscopic resection of superficial gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic resection is a standard treatment for gastric superficial lesions. A positive or a nonevaluable margin is considered a noncurative criterion. We aimed to systematically review recurrence, residual disease, lymph node metastasis (LNM) and cancer-related death following Rx/R1 resection of gastric lesions in the absence of other noncurative criteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE systematic review and meta-analysis by July 2014.

RESULTS

Data were extracted from 31 manuscripts. Definitions and results differed significantly. However, nonevaluable (HMx) and positive horizontal margins (HM1) were associated with 10% [95% confidence interval (CI) 5-15%] and 36% (95% CI 24-48%) rates of recurrence/residual disease, respectively, with an odds ratio of 2.85 (95% CI 1.6-5.8, P<0.01) for HM1 compared with HMx. Nonevaluable (VMx) or positive (VM1) vertical margin was associated with a 43% (95% CI 17-68%) rate of recurrence/residual. VMx/VM1 was associated with a higher risk of recurrence/residual compared with HMx/HM1 (odds ratio 3.76, 95% CI 1.71-6.82, P<0.01). The most common strategy after HMx/HM1 was endoscopic surveillance and retreatment, whereas surgery was recommended after VMx/VM1. No cases of LNM or cancer-related death were noticeable if neither submucosal invasion more than 500 µm nor lymphovascular infiltration was also reported.

CONCLUSION

Rx/R1 resection in the absence of other noncurative criteria does not appear to be a significant risk factor for LNM or cancer-related death. The risk of recurrence/residual disease is higher after HM1 than HMx and higher after VMx/VM1 than HMx/HM1. However, considerable heterogeneity was found in studies. Standard definitions should be created and applied in future studies.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer in elderly patients: a meta-analysis

Background

The effectiveness of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been increasingly reported. However, studies addressing the safety and application value of ESD in elderly patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) were still lacking. This meta-analysis was intended to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ESD in elderly patients with EGC.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Studies were screened out if data of elderly and non-elderly gastric cancer patients were reported separately. The qualities of included studies were assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The pooled odd ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Review Manager 5.2 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK).

Results

Nine studies (eight in Japan, one in China), including a total of 30,100 lesions, met the inclusion criteria. The “en bloc” and histological complete resection rates of the elderly and non-elderly groups were similar [OR, 0.98, 95 % CI, 0.56 to 1.71; P = 0.93 and OR, 0.79, 95 % CI, 0.58 to 1.07; P = 0.13, respectively]. As for procedure-related complications, similar perforation rates [OR, 1.19, 95 % CI, 0.94 to 1.51; P = 0.15], and bleeding rates [OR, 1.13, 95 % CI, 0.83 to 1.56); P = 0.43] between the elderly and non-elderly groups were observed. Whereas, the elderly patients had a higher procedure-related pneumonia rate compared with non-elderly ones [OR, 2.18, 95 % CI, 1.55 to 3.08; P < 0.01].

Conclusions

The ESD procedure appears to be a safe technique in elderly patients with EGC while appropriate approach should be taken to avoid procedure-related pneumonia.

Usefulness of Ready-to-Use 0.4% Sodium Hyaluronate (Endo-Ease) in the Endoscopic Resection of Gastrointestinal Neoplasms

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Commercially available sodium hyaluronate solutions are usually too thick to inject through catheters and need dilution with normal saline (NS) before use, which increases the risk of contamination. We evaluated the usefulness of ready-to-use 0.4% sodium hyaluronate, Endo-Ease (EE; UNIMED Pharm. Inc., Seoul, Korea).

METHODS

We performed a prospective multicenter randomized study from May 2011 to September 2012. Patients requiring endoscopic resection (ER) for gastric or colorectal neoplasm at two referral hospitals were enrolled.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-four patients (72 with a gastric neoplasm and 82 with a colorectal neoplasm) were included in intention-to-treat analysis. Thirty-seven gastric neoplasms and 43 colorectal neoplasms were enrolled in the EE group. The usefulness rate was significantly higher in the EE group than in the NS group (89.2% vs. 60.0% for gastric neoplasms and 95.3% vs. 67.7% for colorectal neoplasms, p<0.001). In the EE group, the ease of mucosal resection was significantly higher than in the NS group (p<0.001). The injected volume was smaller in the EE group than in the NS group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of EE reduced the need for additional injections and improved the ease of ER. A submucosal injection of EE is useful for the ER of both gastric and colorectal neoplasms.

Effect of rescue surgery after non-curative endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Whether rescue surgery confers a survival benefit in patients undergoing non-curative endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer remains controversial.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent non-curative endoscopic resection of at least one lesion of differentiated-type early gastric cancer between 2000 and 2011. Patients with a positive lateral resection margin as the only non-curative factor were excluded. Outcome was investigated by univariable (Kaplan-Meier) and multivariable (Cox proportional hazards) analysis.

RESULTS

Some 341 patients underwent non-curative endoscopic resection for at least one lesion of differentiated-type early gastric cancer. Sixty-seven patients with a positive lateral resection margin as the only non-curative factor were excluded, leaving 274 patients for analysis; 194 had rescue surgery and 80 had no additional treatment. The median duration of follow-up was 60·5 months. Patients who had rescue surgery were younger, had a lower Charlson co-morbidity index score, smaller tumours and a higher lymphovascular invasion rate than patients with no treatment. Among 194 patients who had rescue surgery, intragastric local residual tumours were found in ten (5·2 per cent) and lymph node metastases in 11 (5·7 per cent). Patients with lymph node metastasis were significantly older than those without metastasis; no other significant differences were found. Univariable analysis showed that patients aged less than 65 years, those with a Charlson co-morbidity index score below 4 and patients undergoing rescue surgery had significantly longer overall survival. Five-year overall survival rates in the rescue surgery and no-treatment groups were 94·3 and 85 per cent respectively. In multivariable analysis, rescue surgery was identified as the only independent predictor of overall survival after non-curative endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer.

CONCLUSION

Rescue surgery confers a survival benefit after non-curative endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer.

Outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for differentiated-type early gastric cancer with histological heterogeneity

BACKGROUND

Long-term clinical outcomes after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is unclear for differentiated-type-predominant early gastric cancer (EGC) mixed with undifferentiated component (MUC-EGC). Therefore, the role and appropriate indication of ESD for MUC-EGC remain to be evaluated.

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2011, 1,577 differentiated-type EGC lesions [1,408 pure differentiated-type (PuD)-EGCs and 169 MUC-EGCs] in 1,527 consecutive patients were treated by ESD. After ESD, MUC-EGC was managed in the same way as PuD-EGC. The clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes after ESD of MUC-EGC were compared with those of PuD-EGC.

RESULTS

En bloc resection and en bloc with R0 resection rates in MUC-EGC cases were 94.1 % and 81.7 %, respectively. MUC-EGC was significantly associated with larger tumor size, more frequent submucosal invasion, and lymphovascular invasion compared to PuD-EGC. Despite these aggressive features of MUC-EGC, no lymph node metastasis or extragastric recurrence occurred during follow-up after ESD if MUC-EGC met the curative endoscopic resection (ER) criteria for tumors of absolute or expanded indications. Four MUC-EGC cases meeting the curative ER criteria underwent additional radical gastrectomy after ESD, and no case showed lymph node metastasis. During a median 48 months of follow-up, overall survival rates for MUC-EGC meeting the curative ER criteria for tumors of absolute or expanded indications (3-year survival rates, 100 % and 100 %) were comparable to those of PuD-EGC.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term outcomes after ESD were favorable for MUC-EGCs meeting the curative ER criteria for tumors of absolute or expanded indications. Therefore, ESD may be used as a promising treatment option for these cases.

Impact of formal training in endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastrointestinal cancer: A systematic review and a meta-analysis

AIM: To summarize the clinical impact of a formal training for the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastrointestinal cancer.

METHODS: We searched databases including PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library and Science citation Index updated to August 2014 to include eligible articles. In the Meta-analysis, the main outcome measurements were en bloc resection rate, local recurrence rate (R0) and the incidence of procedure-related complications (perforation, bleeding).

RESULTS: En bloc resection was high for both, dissecting stomach tumors with an overall percentage of 93.2% (95%CI: 90.5-95.8) and dissecting colorectal tumors with an overall percentage of 89.4% (95%CI: 85.1-93.7). Although the number of studies reporting R0 resection (the dissected specimen was revealed free of tumor in both vertical and lateral margins) was small, the overall estimates for R0 resection were 81.4% (95%CI: 72-90.8) for stomach and 85.9% (95%CI: 77.5-95.5) for colorectal tumors, respectively. The analysis showed that the percentage of immediate perforation and bleeding were very low; 4.96 (95%CI: 3.6-6.3) and 1.4% (95%CI: 0.8-1.9) for colorectal tumors and 3.1% (95%CI: 2.0-4.1) and 4.8% (95%CI: 2.8-6.7) for stomach tumors, respectively.

CONCLUSION: In order to obtain the same rate of success of the analyzed studies it is a necessity to create training centers in the western countries during the “several years” of gastroenterology residence first only to teach EGC diagnose and second only to train endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Multiband mucosectomy for advanced dysplastic lesions in the upper digestive tract

Endoscopic resection (ER) is at present an accepted treatment for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasia. ER provides similar efficacy to surgery; however, it is minimally invasive and less expensive. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is superior to biopsy for diagnosing advanced dysplasia and can change the diagnostic grade and the management. Several EMR techniques have been described that are alternatively used dependent upon the endoscopist personal experience, the anatomic conditions and the endoscopic appearance of the lesion to be resected. The literature suggests that EMR offers comparable outcomes to surgery for selected indications. EMR techniques using a cap fitted endoscope and EMR using a ligation device [multiband mucosectomy (MBM)] are the most frequently use. MBM technique does not require submucosal injection as with the endoscopic resection-cap technique, multiple resections can be performed with the same snare, pre-looping the endoscopic resection-snare in the ridge of the cap is not necessary, MBM does not require withdrawal of the endoscope between resections and up to six consecutive resections can be performed. This reduces the time and cost required for the procedure, while also reducing patient discomfort. Despite the increasing popularity of MBM, data on the safety and efficacy of this technique in upper gastrointestinal lesions with advanced dysplasia, defined as those lesions that have high-grade dysplasia or early cancer, is limited.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Gastric Superficial Lesions: Predictors for Time of Procedure in a Portuguese Center

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), an endoscopic technique used for treatment of gastric superficial lesions, has been gaining importance on western countries. Procedural times have an impact on various outcomes.

AIM

To define which factors from patients, lesions and procedure can predict longer procedural times.

METHODS

In a cohort of 127 lesions resected by ESD with IT-knife, after using needle-knife for submucosal layer access, by experienced gastroenterologists, characteristics from the patient (age, gender, presence of co-morbidities, usage and suspension of anti-platelet drugs and general physical condition), lesion (size, histopathological diagnosis at biopsy, location, macroscopic type and submucosal invasion) and procedure (adverse events) were retrospectively analyzed for its impact on time of procedure. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Lesions larger than 20 mm (p < 0.001), on the upper third of the stomach (p = 0.035) and with an ASA score of 3 (p = 0.031) were considered influential factors for a longer procedure time and specifically for a time of procedure longer than 90 min. Existence of intra-procedure adverse events was also a predictor for a procedure time >90 min. Lesion's size >20 mm and location in the upper third were independently associated with a procedure time longer than 90 min (OR 4.91 [95%CI 2.29-10.50] and OR 18.26 [95%CI 2.02-164.78], respectively).

CONCLUSION

The time of procedure of ESD for gastric superficial lesions is influenced by size of lesion (>20 mm) and location (upper third of stomach), which predict a time longer than 90 min. This can be useful for better management of workflow, operation, training of teams and anesthesic procedures.

Submucosal injection solution for endoscopic resection in gastrointestinal tract: a traditional and network meta-analysis

Objective. To explore and define the current optimal submucosal injection solution used in ESD and EMR for gastrointestinal tract neoplasms in terms of clinical outcomes and other aspects. Methods. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and clinical trials register center were searched with terms of “endoscopic resection” and “submucosal injection solution” to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Both direct comparison using traditional meta-analysis method and indirect comparison using network meta-analysis method were performed. Results. A total of 11 RCTs with 1152 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with normal saline, other submucosal injection solutions induced a significant increase in terms of en bloc resection rate (I² = 0%, OR = 2.11, 95% CI (1.36, 3.26), and P = 0.008) and complete resection rate (I² = 0%, OR = 2.14, 95% CI (1.41, 3.24), and P = 0.0003); and there was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications (I² = 0%, OR = 0.87, 95% CI (0.59, 1.29), and P = 0.49). Conclusions. Other newly developed submucosal injection solutions significantly increased en bloc resection rate and complete resection rate and decreased bleeding rate and finical cost of endoscopic resection in gastrointestinal tract, while current evidence did not find the difference between them, which need to be explored by further studies.

Diagnosis of early gastric cancer using narrow band imaging and acetic acid

AIM: To determine whether the endoscopic findings of depressed-type early gastric cancers (EGCs) could precisely predict the histological type.

METHODS: Ninety depressed-type EGCs in 72 patients were macroscopically and histologically identified. We evaluated the microvascular (MV) and mucosal surface (MS) patterns of depressed-type EGCs using magnifying endoscopy (ME) with narrow-band imaging (NBI) (NBI-ME) and ME enhanced by 1.5% acetic acid, respectively. First, depressed-type EGCs were classified according to MV pattern by NBI-ME. Subsequently, EGCs unclassified by MV pattern were classified according to MS pattern by enhanced ME (EME) images obtained from the same angle.

RESULTS: We classified the depressed-type EGCs into the following 2 MV patterns using NBI-ME: a fine-network pattern that indicated differentiated adenocarcinoma (25/25, 100%) and a corkscrew pattern that likely indicated undifferentiated adenocarcinoma (18/23, 78.3%). However, 42 of the 90 (46.7%) lesions could not be classified into MV patterns by NBI-ME. These unclassified lesions were then evaluated for MS patterns using EME, which classified 33 (81.0%) lesions as MS patterns, diagnosed as differentiated adenocarcinoma. As a result, 76 of the 90 (84.4%) lesions were matched with histological diagnoses using a combination of NBI-ME and EME.

CONCLUSION: A combination of NBI-ME and EME was useful in predicting the histological type of depressed-type EGC.

Minimally invasive surgery in gastric cancer

Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer has rapidly gained popularity due to the early detection of early gastric cancer. As advances in instruments and the accumulation of laparoscopic experience increase, laparoscopic techniques are being used for less invasive but highly technical procedures. Recent evidence suggests that the short- and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for early gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer are comparable to those of conventional open surgery. However, these results should be confirmed by large-scale multicenter prospective randomized controlled clinical trials.

Ever-changing endoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer: Yesterday-today-tomorrow

Endoscopic resection has been an optimal treatment for selected patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) based on advances in endoscopic instruments and techniques. As endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely used for treatment of EGC along with expanding ESD indication, concerns have been asked to achieve curative resection for EGC while guaranteeing precise prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Recently, new techniques including ESD or endoscopic full-thickness resection combined with sentinel node navigation enable minimal tumor resection and a laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in cases of EGC with high risk of LNM. This review covers the development and challenges of endoscopic treatment for EGC. Moreover, a new microscopic imaging and endoscopic techniques for precise endoscopic diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of EGC are introduced.

Endoscopic resection for undifferentiated early gastric cancer: focusing on histologic discrepancies between forceps biopsy-based and endoscopic resection specimen-based diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Before endoscopic resection (ER), a considerable number of undifferentiated early gastric cancer (UD-EGC) cases were initially diagnosed as atypical glands, dysplasia, or differentiated EGC (D-EGC) based on forceps biopsy specimens. As UD-EGC carries a high risk of resection margin involvement, identifying the predictive factors for UD-EGC cases with histologic discrepancy (HD) is of clinical importance.

AIMS

To investigate the outcomes of ER for UD-EGC and to identify the predictive factors for UD-EGC with HD.

METHODS

Among 2,194 EGC lesions treated by ER, 59 lesions were finally diagnosed as UD-EGC and 50 UD-EGC cases showed HD. The demographic and endoscopic characteristics were compared between D-EGC and UD-EGC with HD, and the predictive factors for the latter were investigated among cases of forceps biopsy-based diagnosis of atypical glands, dysplasia, or D-EGC.

RESULTS

UD-EGC showed significantly higher rate of lateral margin involvement compared to D-EGC (18.6 vs. 3.4%). Among the UD-EGC cases meeting the expanded criteria and not involving additional surgery, no local or extragastric tumor recurrence was observed during the median follow-up of 27.5 months. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age (≤60 years), female gender, gastric body, flat or depressed type, and tumor size (>2 cm) were independent predictive factors for UD-EGC with HD among cases of forceps biopsy-based diagnosis of atypical glands, dysplasia, or D-EGC.

CONCLUSIONS

For lesions with predictive factors for UD-EGC with HD, a circumferential mapping biopsy before ER or wide marking during ER could be considered to avoid the potential risk of incomplete resection.

ESD around the world: Asia

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) improves the quality of life of patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) and dysplasia by preserving gastric function. ESD in the treatment of EGC and dysplasia has become standard in Japan and Korea and is being developed and implemented in many major centers in Asia. With a well-designed prospective study, long-term outcomes of expanded criteria for endoscopic resection of EGC are expected to provide reliable indications for endoscopic treatment. Ongoing and novel clinical investigations of minimally invasive approaches and close collaboration between Western and Asian countries are expected to establish the best way to treat EGC.

Management strategy for small duodenal carcinoid tumors: does conservative management with close follow-up represent an alternative to endoscopic treatment?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Limited data exist regarding the natural history of duodenal carcinoid tumors and the efficacy of endoscopic treatment.

METHODS

A total of 27 patients with duodenal carcinoid tumors were enrolled. All tumors were located outside the periampullary region and were ≤10 mm in size. 11 patients underwent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and argon plasma coagulation (APC). 13 patients did not undergo any specific procedure for tumor removal and were followed clinically.

RESULTS

Of 13 patients not undergoing treatment, tumors disappeared in 5 cases during follow-up with diagnostic forceps biopsy. Endoscopically visible lesions remained in the last follow-up endoscopy in 8 patients (61.5%). No lymph node or distant metastases or tumor-related deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 37 months. Of 11 cases treated with EMR, tumor-free resection margins were achieved in 10 cases and no local recurrence occurred after treatment. Two perforations occurred during EMR. Of the 3 cases treated with APC, local recurrence occurred in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the risks associated with EMR and the likely favorable natural history of small duodenal carcinoid tumors, conservative management with close follow-up may represent a viable alternative to endoscopic treatment, especially in patients with a high risk of perioperative complications.

Re-evaluation of indications and outcomes of endoscopic excision procedures for colorectal tumors: a review

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) are useful therapeutic techniques for colorectal tumors. Currently, new techniques based on these procedures are available, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection with snare (ESD-S) and endoscopic mucosal resection with pre-cutting (EMR-P). For the excision of colorectal tumors, each of these techniques has been characterized as having a high total resection rate, low recurrence rate or low complication rate. In this study, we analysed clinical trials that had recently been published, to search for the most appropriate endoscopic treatment for colorectal tumors. Our search results revealed the following: for a tumor with a diameter less than 20 mm, the surgeon should choose ESD, ESD-S, EMR-P or EMR, depending on the condition of the tumor. On the other hand, to excise a tumor larger than 20 mm in diameter, ESD and ESD-S should be the first choices. However, if the patient has a high risk of complications due to ESD or ESD-S, the use of EMR-P would be suitable. Because of the high possibility of canceration in a tumor larger than 20 mm in diameter, EMR is not the optimal endoscopic treatment for the excision of a colorectal tumor, due to a low total resection rate and a high recurrence rate.

Long-term outcome of extended endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer with differentiated histology

Endoscopic mucosal resection was introduced in the 1990s, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in 2003. Currently, ESD is becoming the main procedure for the resection of early gastric cancer (EGC) and is leading to the development of extended indications for endoscopic resection. Many reports showed that the endoscopic and oncologic outcome of endoscopic treatment in the extended indication group was acceptable in terms of curability and safety. Especially, ESD showed better results to remove extended indication EGCs with relatively high resection rate and low local recurrence rate. However, more long-term follow-up data are needed for clinical application of the extended criteria of ESD due to the risk of lymph node metastasis. We should also keep in mind that accurate diagnosis, characterization of the lesion, and proper appreciation of technical aspects are most essential in therapeutic endoscopy.

Endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal lipomas: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal (GI) lipomas are benign, slow-growing subepithelial tumors. Most lipomas are detected incidentally at endoscopy, but they can cause GI bleeding, abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, and intussusception, particularly if they are larger than 2 cm in diameter. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy, safety, and long-term prognosis of endoscopic treatment of GI lipomas.

METHODS

A total of 28 GI lipomas treated endoscopically from January 2005 to June 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Endoscopic treatment was performed by four methods: the unroofing technique, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), EMR after precutting (EMR-P), and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

RESULTS

Of 28 GI lipomas, 5 were located in the stomach, 2 in the duodenum, and 21 in the colon. Thirteen lipomas were <2 cm in diameter (small lipoma), and the other 15 were ≥2 cm (large lipoma). The unroofing technique was performed in 2 cases, EMR in 17 cases, EMR-P in 4 cases, and ESD in 5 cases. En bloc resection was performed with 21 lesions (75 %), and endoscopic complete resection was achieved with 26 lesions (93 %). Incomplete resection occurred in the 2 cases treated by the unroofing technique. On pathologic examination, complete resection was achieved with 21 lesions (75 %). Delayed bleeding was observed in one patient. There were no serious complications such as perforation or post-procedural stricture. During the mean follow-up period of 19 months (range 2-91 months), no recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic treatment appears to be a safe and effective treatment for GI lipomas, including large lipomas (≥2 cm in diameter).

Comparison of clinical outcomes among different endoscopic resection methods for treating colorectal neoplasia

BACKGROUND/AIM

Endoscopic treatments of colorectal neoplasms have yet to be standardized. This study aimed to compare efficacy and tolerability of different endoscopic resection methods for colorectal epithelial tumors.

METHODS

Patients with non-pedunculated colorectal tumors undergoing endoscopic treatments were consecutively enrolled, and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. The resection methods were classified into three groups: endoscopic mucosal resection with circumferential precutting (EMR-P), endoscopic submucosal dissection with snaring (ESD-S), and endoscopic submucosal dissection alone (ESD). We compared en bloc resection, pathological complete resection, and complications associated with these methods.

RESULTS

Overall, 206 lesions from 203 patients were included in the study (mean size 25.2 ± 10.1 mm). The number of lesions treated with EMR-P, ESD-S, and ESD was 91 (44.2 %), 57 (27.7 %), and 58 (28.2 %), respectively. There was a significant difference in both the en bloc resection rates (EMR-P, 61.5 %; ESD-S, 64.9 %; ESD, 96.6 %; p = 0.001) and complete resection rates (EMR-P, 51.6 %; ESD-S, 54.4 %; ESD, 75.9 %; p = 0.009). Bleeding and perforation were less frequently observed in the EMR-P group. In the subgroup-analysis of lesions less than 20 mm, however, these differences were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

All endoscopic resection methods, including EMR-P, ESD-S, and ESD, were effective and safe for the treatment of colorectal neoplasms. Technically demanding ESD with high en bloc and complete resection rate should be reserved for the suspicious cancer lesion, which requires the precise histological evaluation. EMR-P with good feasibility can be considered an alternative to ESD for the lesions less than 20 mm.