Detection of superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia by chromoendoscopy-guided confocal laser endomicroscopy

Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy for Detection of Early Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer

Esophageal and gastric cancers are common diseases with high morbidity and mortality; thus, early detection and treatment are beneficial to improve prognosis. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a novel imaging technique that permits the histological analysis of tissues during endoscopy. CLE has been shown to uniquely affect the diagnosis of early upper gastrointestinal cancers. Relevant literature was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Despite inherent flaws, CLE can reduce tissue damage and improve diagnostic accuracy to a certain extent. CLE in combination with other imaging methods can help enhance the detection rate and avoid unnecessary biopsies in the management of esophageal or gastric cancer and precancerous lesions. CLE is of great significance in the diagnosis and surveillance of early cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Further technical innovations and the standardisation of CLE will make it more responsive to the needs of routine clinical applications.

The Value of Virtual Chromoendoscopy in the Workup of Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Second primary tumors (SPTs) significantly increase the mortality in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Virtual chromoendoscopy (VCE) could complement or replace lugol chromoendoscopy (LCE) for early esophageal second primary tumor (ESPT) detection. An overview of the existing techniques and their diagnostic performance in early detection of esophageal squamous cell neoplasms is provided.

RECENT FINDINGS

Nowadays, LCE is the golden standard to detect ESPTs. Recently, multiple new VCE techniques have been developed. Especially narrow-band imaging (NBI) is promising. It shows similar sensitivity to LCE, but a significantly higher specificity. Patients with HNSCC are prone to develop ESPTs, both synchronous and metachronous, with a substantial negative impact on survival rates. Therefore, active screening and follow-up is necessary. LCE is an effective screening method, but has some disadvantages. Countering these drawbacks, NBI shows a high potential in early ESPT detection in high-risk patients. Additional multicenter studies are needed to compare diagnostic performance and cost-effectiveness of NBI and other VCE techniques with LCE.

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy versus biopsies in the diagnostics of oesophageal and gastric lesions: A prospective, pathologist-blinded study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) provides real-time microscopic visualisation. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of pCLE with standard biopsies in patients with visible oesophageal or gastric lesions.

METHODS

This was a single-centre, prospective, pathologist-blinded study. Patients underwent high-resolution endoscopy, and lesions were examined by pCLE followed by standard biopsies. A definitive diagnosis was determined from resection specimen. Main outcomes were overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values.

RESULTS

We examined 74 lesions in 67 patients. Definitive diagnoses revealed 34 malignant and 40 non-malignant lesions. pCLE diagnosis was correct in 89.2% (66/74), while diagnosis based on biopsy was correct in 85% (57/67; p = 0.6). The overall diagnostic accuracy of biopsies was 85% (76-94%) and that of pCLE was 89% (79-96%). pCLE correctly diagnosed malignant lesions, comprising oesophageal adenocarcinoma, oesophageal squamous-cell cancer or gastric adenocarcinoma, in 88.2% (30/34) of cases, while biopsy was correctly diagnosed in 75.9% (22/29; p = 0.3). Sensitivity and specificity to diagnose a malignant lesion were 75.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56-89%) and 100% (95% CI 90-100%) for biopsies and 88.2% (95% CI 72-97%) and 92% (95% CI 79-98%) for pCLE. No differences between biopsies and pCLE were found with regard to sensitivity, specificity to diagnose dysplastic and benign lesions (p > 0.2).

CONCLUSION

pCLE provides satisfactory diagnostic accuracy comparable with standard biopsies in patients with oesophageal or gastric lesions. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT0292049).

Clinical and translational advances in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is among the most deadly forms of human malignancy characterized by late stage diagnosis, metastasis, therapy resistance and frequent recurrence. Clinical management of ESCC remains challenging and the disease presently lacks approved targeted therapeutics. However, emerging data from recent clinical and translational investigations hold great promise for future progress toward improving patient outcomes in this deadly disease. Here, we review current clinical perspectives in ESCC epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical care, highlighting recent advances with potential to impact ESCC prevention, diagnosis and management. We further provide an overview of recent translational investigations contributing to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ESCC development, progression and therapy response, including insights gained from genetic studies and various murine model systems. Finally, we discuss future perspectives in the clinical and translational realms, along with remaining hurdles that must be overcome to eradicate ESCC.

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

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

Endoscopic Management of Early Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: Screening, Diagnosis, and Therapy

Because the esophagus is easily accessible with endoscopy, early diagnosis and curative treatment of esophageal cancer is possible. However, diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms are not specific during early stages of tumor development. The onset of dysphagia is associated with advanced disease, which has a survival at 5 years lower than 15%. Population screening by endoscopy is not cost-effective, but a number of alternative imaging and cell analysis technologies are under investigation. The ideal screening test should be inexpensive, well tolerated, and applicable to primary care. Over the past 10 years, significant progress has been made in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of dysplasia (squamous and Barrett's), and early esophageal cancer using resection and ablation technologies supported by evidence from randomized controlled trials. We review the state-of-the-art technologies for early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, which together could reduce the burden of disease.

Diagnostic accuracy of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy in Lugol-unstained esophageal superficial lesions of patients with head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Surveillance programs of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) detect synchronous or metachronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in up to 15% of patients. Noninvasive, probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) technique may improve the diagnosis allowing acquisition of high-resolution in vivo images at the cellular and microvascular levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of pCLE for the differential diagnosis of nonneoplastic and neoplastic Lugol-unstained esophageal lesions in patients with HNC.

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with HNC who exhibited Lugol-unstained esophageal lesions at surveillance endoscopy were prospectively included for pCLE. Diagnostic pCLE was followed by subsequent biopsies or endoscopic resection of suspected lesions. A senior pathologist was blinded to the pCLE results.

RESULTS

Patients mean age was 59 years (SD = 8.8) and 70.4% were men. All patients were smokers, and 22 patients (81.5%) had a history of alcohol consumption. The locations of HNC were oral cavity (n = 13), larynx (n = 10), and pharynx (n = 4). Thirty-seven lesions in 27 patients were studied. The final diagnoses were ESCC in 17 patients and benign lesions in 20 patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of pCLE for the histologic diagnosis of ESCC in patients with HNC were 94.1%, 90.0%, and 91.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

First, pCLE is highly accurate for real-time histology of Lugol-unstained esophageal lesions in patients with HNC. Second, pCLE may alter the management of patients under surveillance for ESCC, guiding biopsies and endoscopic resection, avoiding further diagnostic workup or therapy of benign lesions.

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia: A review of diagnosis and management

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is a premalignant lesion of the anal mucosa that is a precursor to anal cancer. Although anal cancer is relatively uncommon, rates of this malignancy are steadily rising in the United States, and among certain high risk populations the incidence of anal cancer may exceed that of colon cancer. Risk factors for AIN and anal cancer consist of clinical factors and behaviors that are associated with the acquisition and persistence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The strongest HPV-associated risk factors are HIV infection, receptive anal intercourse, and high risk sexual behavior. A history of HPV-mediated genital cancer, which suggests infection with an oncogenic HPV strain, is another risk factor for AIN/anal cancer. Because progression of AIN to anal cancer is known to occur in some individuals over several years, screening for AIN and early anal cancer, as well as treatment of advanced AIN lesions, is reasonable in certain high-risk populations. Although randomized controlled trials evaluating screening and treatment outcomes are lacking, experts support routine screening for AIN in high risk populations. Screening is performed using anal cytological exams, similar to those performed in cervical cancer screening programs, along with direct tissue evaluation and biopsy via high resolution anoscopy. AIN can be treated using topical therapies such as imiquimod, 5-flurouracil, and trichloroacetic acid, as well as ablative therapies such as electrocautery and laser therapy. Reductions in AIN and anal cancer rates have been shown in studies where high-risk populations were vaccinated against the oncogenic strains of HPV. Currently, the CDC recommends both high-risk and average-risk populations be vaccinated against HPV infection using the quadrivalent or nonavalent vaccines. It is important for clinicians to be familiar with AIN and the role of HPV vaccination, particularly in high risk populations.