Multiple Lugol-unstained lesions predict higher cumulative risk of malignance in the esophagus

Iodine Staining With Distance Countdown Improving the Safety for Reduction of Adverse Events: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Lugol chromoendoscopy (LCE) is valuable, cost-effective, and widely used in early esophageal cancer screening, yet it suffers from low compliance because of adverse events after LCE. In addition, the reflux of iodine during iodine staining in the upper esophagus brings the risk of bucking and aspiration. We introduced a new model called distance countdown (DC) aimed to reduce reflux during iodine staining in upper esophageal LCE.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 204 patients were randomized into the DC and No-DC groups. The primary end point was the difference in the incidence of positive starch reagent reaction (iodine solution reflux) between the 2 groups. The secondary end points were the comparisons of the incidence of other adverse events after LCE between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The rate of iodine solution reflux was 1.0% in the DC group and 26.5% in the No-DC group ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, the incidences of bucking between the 2 groups were 1.0% and 9.8% ( P = 0.005). LCE satisfaction rates were 78.4% and 76.5% in the DC and No-DC groups ( P = 0.363), respectively. Concerning symptoms after LCE, incidences of sore throat, pharyngeal discomfort or odor, bitter taste, and heartburn were also reduced in the DC group (all P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Adding DC as an auxiliary effect during LCE would reduce the risk of iodine solution reflux, as well as other adverse events after LCE. Implementing this measure could be beneficial in improving the safety of LCE in early esophageal cancer screening.

Effectiveness of Endoscopic Screening on Esophageal Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A 9-Year Report of the Endoscopic Screening for Esophageal Cancer in China (ESECC) Randomized Trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic screening against incidence of and mortality from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

From January 2012 to September 2016, we conducted a community-based cluster randomized controlled trial involving permanent residents age 45-69 years in a high-risk region for ESCC in northern China. A total of 668 targeted villages were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the screening group (offered Lugol's chromoendoscopy) or control group (no screening). Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were performed to compare esophageal cancer (EC) incidence and mortality between the two groups. The per-protocol analysis adjusted for nonadherence to the screening procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 33,847 participants were included in the analysis: 17,104 in the screening group, 15,165 (88.7%) of whom underwent screening, and 16,743 in the control group. During a maximum follow-up of 9 years, EC incidence in the screening and control groups were 60.9 and 72.5 per 100,000 person-years, respectively; mortality in the screening and control groups were 29.7 and 32.4 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Compared with the control group, the incidence and mortality of the screening group reduced by 19% (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.81 [95% CI, 0.60 to 1.09]) and 18% (aHR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.53 to 1.26]), respectively, in the intention-to-treat analysis; and by 22% (aHR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.56 to 1.10]) and 21% (aHR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.49 to 1.30]), respectively, in the per-protocol analysis.

CONCLUSION

With a 9-year follow-up, our trial suggests that chromoendoscopic screening induces modest reductions in EC incidence and mortality. A more efficient strategy for EC screening and subsequent patient management should be established to guarantee the effectiveness of endoscopic screening.

How should extra-large Lugol-unstained lesions of the esophagus be treated? Results from a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines recommend only severe dysplasia and above (SDA) lesions of the esophageal squamous epithelium for clinical intervention. However, the histopathologic diagnosis derived from tissue biopsies may be subject to underestimation of severity.

METHODS

1073 participants from whom biopsies were taken at baseline chromoendoscopic examination in a population-based screening trial were enrolled in this study. The size of the Lugol-unstained lesions (LULs) was mainly analyzed. The outcome was defined as SDA lesions either identified at baseline screening, or during follow-up, collectively referred to as the cumulative risk of SDA. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the cumulative risk of SDA.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-six SDA cases were identified in the study period. Participants with large LULs had a high cumulative incidence of SDA (cumulative incidence16-20mm : 55.88%; cumulative incidence>20mm : 76.92%) in the median of 7-year duration. LULs of large size were significantly associated with a higher cumulative risk of SDA, regardless of the pathologic diagnosis (adjusted OR16-20mmvs.≤5mm  = 21.02, 95% CI: 7.56-58.47; adjusted OR>20mmvs.≤5mm  = 33.62, 95% CI: 11.79-95.87).

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study suggest physician-patient shared decision-making regarding clinical treatment or intensive surveillance should be carried out for LULs >20 mm in the esophagus, regardless of the histologic diagnosis. For those with LULs of 16-20 mm, intensive surveillance would also best be considered.