Successful treatment of an undifferentiated early stage gastric cancer by combined en bloc EMR and laparoscopic regional lymphadenectomy

Hybrid surgery for early gastric cancer

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the most suitable treatment option in terms of minimally invasive treatment for potential node-negative early gastric cancers (EGCs). Furthermore, making the resection area of the primary lesion as small as possible is ideal for the patient's quality of life, even for potential node-positive EGC. An endoluminal approach is a reasonable option with which to minimize stomach resection area, because this procedure can be accurately demarcated from the inside. From this point of view, endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) may be optimal, while laparoscopic assistance would be more desirable to create a more secure procedure. However, hybrid EFTR for EGCs has two limitations, which must be solved. First, concerns regarding iatrogenic tumor seeding via transluminal communication between the inside and outside of the tract exist. The second limitation relates to the determination of lymphadenectomy. Conventional lymphadenectomy, which involves the removal of the majority of feeding arteries, can lead to necrosis of the remaining gastric wall. Therefore, the resection area of lymphadenectomy should also be carefully determined. To address these two problems, a non-exposed hybrid EFTR combined with sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) would be the most ideal method of minimally invasive surgery for EGCs.

Totally laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer after endoscopic submucosal dissection: a propensity score matching analysis

PURPOSE

A recently developed endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) procedure, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), makes en bloc resection possible for mucosal cancer regardless of lesion size. ESD involves deeper and wider dissection of the gastric wall and may therefore increase the difficulty of subsequent totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG) and the risk of complications. However, the influence of ESD on subsequent TLG has yet to be demonstrated. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the influence of ESD on subsequent TLG.

METHODS

Between March 2006 and December 2013, we retrospectively collected data of 38 patients undergoing TLG with ESD (ESD group) and propensity score-matched 38 patients undergone TLG without ESD (non-ESD group) for treatment of gastric cancer at Tonan Hospital and Hokkaido University Hospital. The covariates for propensity score matching were as follows: age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, body mass index, and type of surgery. Clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Operative times for TLG in ESD group and non-ESD group were 228.2 ± 53.9 and 228.1 ± 52.7 min (P = 0.989), and blood loss was 45.7 ± 83.0 and 71.3 ± 74.5 g, respectively (P = 0.161). There were no significant differences between the groups of ESD and non-ESD in postoperative recovery and postoperative complications. In totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG), the patients with ESD-resected specimens of more than 50 mm in diameter had significantly longer operative times (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, TLG is a feasible procedure treatment of gastric cancer regardless of ESD. However, TLDG is more difficult in cases where the ESD-resected specimen is more than 50 mm in diameter.

Identification of clinicopathological factors predicting lymph node metastasis in differentiated submucosal gastric cancer: Impact on surgical strategy

The aim of this study was to identify the clinicopathological factors predictive of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in differentiated submucosal gastric cancer (SGC), and to establish a simple criterion which may be useful in selecting the optimal treatment for cases with SGC. A total of 70 patients with differentiated and surgically treated SGC were retrospectively examined, and the association between the clinicopathological factors and the presence of LNM was retrospectively analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. In the univariate analysis, tumor size, lymphatic vessel involvement and the presence of intermingled components of undifferentiated cancer cells were significantly associated with a higher rate of LNM (all P<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, lymphatic vessel involvement (OR=392.269; 95% CI 1.380-1115.032; P=0.038) and presence of intermingled components of undifferentiated cancer cells (OR=98.515; 95% CI 2.687-3612.400; P=0.012) were found to be independent pathological risk factors for LNM. LNM was observed in 75.0% (3/4) of patients with the two risk factors, but in none of the 45 patients without the two risk factors. Lymphatic vessel involvement and presence of intermingled components of undifferentiated cancer cells are independently associated with the presence of LNM in differentiated SGC. Thus, these two risk factors may be used to establish a simple criterion to guide further surgical procedures in cases with SGC revealed after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).

Endoscopic therapies for the prevention and treatment of early esophageal neoplasia

Esophageal cancers have traditionally been diagnosed late and prognosis has been dire. For many years the only real treatment option was esophagectomy with substantial morbidity and mortality. This situation has now changed dramatically. Improvements have been achieved in surgical outcomes and there is an array of new effective treatment options now available, particularly for the increasing proportion diagnosed with early-stage disease. Minimally invasive endoscopic therapies can now prevent, cure or palliate esophageal cancers. This article aims to investigate the role and evidence base for these new therapeutic options.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: Quo vadis?

The diagnosis of early gastric cancer (EGC) is of great interest because its endoscopic and surgical treatment presents the best chance for a cure. With technical development, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely performed for the curative treatment of EGC in Korea. Multinational studies of ESD for EGC will be the next missions that overcome these limitations and global guidelines will be processed for ESD for EGC.

A feasibility study on the expanded indication for endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the standard treatment for selected cases of early gastric cancer (EGC). Evolution of ESD techniques and accessories has expanded treatment indications. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic outcomes for conventional and expanded indications of ESD for EGC.

METHODS

Eight hundred six EGC lesions in 780 patients were classified into two groups based on a pathological review: a conventional indication group (595 cases) and an expanded indication group (211 cases). The expanded indication group was classified further into subgroups according to tumor depth and tumor size. Therapeutic outcomes were compared between the conventional and expanded indication groups and between the expanded indication subgroups.

RESULTS

The complete resection rate (97.3% vs. 81.0%, p<0.001) and en bloc complete resection rate (95.6% vs. 79.1%, p=0.003) were higher in the conventional indication group than in the expanded indication group. Among the expanded indication patients, the complete resection rate (64.5% vs. 91.1%, p<0.001) and en bloc complete resection rate (63.2% vs. 89.6%, p<0.001) were lower in the submucosal invasion subgroup than in the mucosal invasion subgroup. The complete resection rate and en bloc complete resection rate did not differ between subgroups classified according to tumor size in the expanded indication group. The conventional indication group and expanded indication group did not differ with regard to the rates of local recurrence (0.7% vs. 0%), metachronous recurrence (3.6% vs. 3.3%), or cumulative disease-free survival. Survival outcome was similar in the subgroups classified by tumor depth and size. Perforation was more frequent in the expanded indication group than in the conventional indication group (6.6% vs. 2.4%, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

ESD for expanded indication of EGC had acceptable clinical outcomes. ESD can be applied safely to properly selected patients with EGC.

A feasibility study on the expanded indication for endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the standard treatment for selected cases of early gastric cancer (EGC). Evolution of ESD techniques and accessories has expanded treatment indications. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic outcomes for conventional and expanded indications of ESD for EGC.

METHODS

Eight hundred six EGC lesions in 780 patients were classified into two groups based on a pathological review: a conventional indication group (595 cases) and an expanded indication group (211 cases). The expanded indication group was classified further into subgroups according to tumor depth and tumor size. Therapeutic outcomes were compared between the conventional and expanded indication groups and between the expanded indication subgroups.

RESULTS

The complete resection rate (97.3% vs. 81.0%, p<0.001) and en bloc complete resection rate (95.6% vs. 79.1%, p=0.003) were higher in the conventional indication group than in the expanded indication group. Among the expanded indication patients, the complete resection rate (64.5% vs. 91.1%, p<0.001) and en bloc complete resection rate (63.2% vs. 89.6%, p<0.001) were lower in the submucosal invasion subgroup than in the mucosal invasion subgroup. The complete resection rate and en bloc complete resection rate did not differ between subgroups classified according to tumor size in the expanded indication group. The conventional indication group and expanded indication group did not differ with regard to the rates of local recurrence (0.7% vs. 0%), metachronous recurrence (3.6% vs. 3.3%), or cumulative disease-free survival. Survival outcome was similar in the subgroups classified by tumor depth and size. Perforation was more frequent in the expanded indication group than in the conventional indication group (6.6% vs. 2.4%, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

ESD for expanded indication of EGC had acceptable clinical outcomes. ESD can be applied safely to properly selected patients with EGC.

Endoscopic resection for premalignant and malignant lesions of the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the colon

The endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection techniques, if performed with the right indications and with expertise, should be considered even in the West as elective treatment modalities for early gastrointestinal neoplasia. Because the experience is still limited, more should be done to strengthen the performance capacity and foster cooperation among skilled endoscopists.

Endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer

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

Endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer

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

Endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer

The purpose of this review was to examine a remarkable technical advance regarding the indications for and the technique of endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of early gastric cancer with no risk of lymph node metastasis has been a standard technique in Japan, probably owing to the high incidence of gastric cancer in Japan and the fact that more than half of Japanese gastric cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage. Very recently, several EMR techniques have become increasingly accepted and regularly used in Western countries. Although these minimally invasive techniques are safe, convenient, and efficacious, they are unsuitable for large lesions in particular. Difficulty in correctly assessing the depth of tumor invasion and an increase in local recurrence when standard EMR procedures are used have been reported in cases of large lesions, because such lesions are often resected piecemeal owing to the technical limitations of standard EMR. A new development in therapeutic endoscopy, called endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), allows the direct dissection of the submucosa, and large lesions can be resected en bloc. ESD is not limited by resection size and is expected to replace surgical resection. However, it is still associated with a higher incidence of complications than standard EMR procedures and requires a high level of endoscopic skill. The endoscopic indications, techniques, and management of complications of ESD for early gastric cancer for properly carrying out established therapeutic endoscopy are described.

Endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer: the Japanese perspective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine recent advances in the techniques and technologies of endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Endoscopic mucosal resection of early gastric cancer with no risk of lymph node metastasis has been a standard technique in Japan and is increasingly becoming accepted and regularly used in Western countries. Though this minimally invasive technique is a safe, convenient and efficacious method, it is insufficient for larger lesions. Difficulties in correctly assessing the depth of tumour invasion and increases in local recurrence by standard endoscopic mucosal resection have been reported in lesions larger than 15 mm. This is because such lesions are often resected piecemeal due to the technical limitation of standard endoscopic mucosal resection. New developments in endoscopic resection techniques to dissect the submucosa directly, called endoscopic submucosal dissection, allows resections of larger lesions en bloc. There are no limitations in resection size in endoscopic submucosal dissection, which is expected to replace surgery. This technique, however, still has higher complications rates than standard endoscopic mucosal resection and requires highly skilled endoscopists.

SUMMARY

The techniques, indications, and pathological assessment methods of endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer are described so that proper treatment guidelines can be established and long-term outcome data can be assessed.

Laparoscopic lymph node dissection after endoscopic submucosal dissection: a novel and minimally invasive approach to treating early-stage gastric cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), a newly developed endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) technique, can completely cure a differentiated mucosal gastric cancer smaller than 2 cm. For early-stage gastric cancers (EGCs) deviating from the above-mentioned criterion, gastrectomy with lymph node dissection is performed for potential risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). However, many of surgical EGC cases actually do not have LNM, indicating this surgery may not be necessary for many cases of EGC. To avoid this unnecessary surgery, we have introduced laparoscopic lymph node dissection (LLND) after ESD. Standard gastrectomy with extended lymph node dissection is indicated for patients if LLND reveals LNM. We present our novel approach and the preliminary results of EGC patients having potential risk of LNM.

METHODS

Five patients with EGC deviating from the EMR criterion underwent the combination of ESD and LLND. ESD was performed using a newly developed insulation-tipped diathermic knife. Lymph nodes, which were determined on the basis of the location of the primary tumor and lymphatic drainage of the stomach, were removed laparoscopically. The lymphatic drainage was visualized by submucosally injecting indocyanine green (ICG) around the post-ESD ulcerative scars during intraoperative gastroscopy.

RESULTS

The ESD enabled en bloc resection without any complications. The resected margins of all the lesions were free of cancer cells vertically and horizontally. LLND was successfully performed without any complications. The mean number of the dissected lymph nodes was 15 (range 6 to 22). In 4 of the 5 patients, the dissected lymph nodes were free of cancer cells, and therefore, the combination of ESD and LLND was considered a definitive treatment. The remaining patient was found to have LNM but chose not to undergo any surgery. During follow-ups, the patients' previous quality of life was restored without any tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of ESD and LLND enables the complete resection of the primary tumor and the histologic determination of lymph node status. This combination treatment is a potential, minimally invasive method, and may obviate unnecessary gastrectomy without compromising curability for EGC patients having the potential risk of LNM.

Predictive factors for lymph node metastasis of differentiated submucosally invasive gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

For early gastric cancer, submucosal invasion may be unrecognized until histopathologic examination of the specimen obtained by EMR. Gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy is the standard treatment for such submucosal cancers. However, approximately 80% of submucosal cancers do not have lymph node metastasis. Unnecessary surgery could be avoided if a subgroup of patients with submucosal cancer with negligible risk of lymph node metastasis can be defined. This study was conducted to define such a subgroup.

METHODS

Data from 104 patients surgically treated for differentiated submucosal cancers were retrospectively collected. A multivariate analysis of clinicopathologic factors was performed to identify predictive factors for lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS

Three independent risk factors, namely, female gender (p=0.0174), deep invasion (> or =500 microm) into the submucosal layer (p=0.001), and presence of lymphatic involvement (p < 0.0001) were associated with lymph node metastasis. Lymph node metastasis was not observed in any patient who had limited submucosal invasion and absence of lymphatic involvement. The rate of lymph node metastasis was calculated to be 80% in patients who had both deep submucosal invasion and lymphatic involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

If endoscopic resection specimens exhibit no deep penetration (<500 microm) into the submucosal layer and lymphatic involvement is absent, EMR may be sufficient treatment for submucosal well-differentiated early gastric cancers. A long-term follow-up study of patients with such lesions treated by EMR alone is required.