Screening and surveillance methods for dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease patients: Where do we stand?

Dysplasia and Colorectal Cancer Surveillance in Ulcerative Colitis Patients in Latin America: Real-World Data

Background

The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is higher than in the general population, in Latin America there is a progressive increase of UC, and information about CRC screening in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the findings of endoscopic surveillance of CRC in patients with IBD according to available technology.

Methods

Multicenter, cross-sectional, analytical study conducted in Latin American countries, in patients with UC, predominantly with more than 8 years of diagnosis and different degrees of disease activity. Surveillance colonoscopies were performed according to available technology. Risk factors for dysplasia detection were analyzed.

Results

One hundred and forty-four patients, 55.5% women, mean age 47.3 (range 17.1 to 90; SD 15.64) years and mean duration of disease 12.71 (range 0.64 to 57.13; SD 8.08) years. Forty-nine lesions were identified, 18 corresponded to dysplasia. The detection rate of dysplasia per lesion and per procedure was 36.7% and 12.5%, respectively. By logistic regression analysis, the duration of disease (OR 1.12;95%CI:1.047 to 1.215, P = .002) and the presence of post-inflammatory polyps (OR 3.4;95%CI:1.11 to 10.36, P = .031) were risk factors for higher detection of dysplasia. Digital chromoendoscopy was associated with greater detection of dysplasia (OR 4.99, 95%CI: 1.092 to 22.864, P = .038).

Conclusions

In our region, the duration of disease and the presence of post-inflammatory polyps were the factors with the highest association for dysplasia detection, and digital chromoendoscopy with directed biopsies was the technique of choice. The implementation of a specific surveillance program in colonoscopy in IBD is an effective strategy to achieve high detection rates.

Ecogastroenterology: cultivating sustainable clinical excellence in an environmentally conscious landscape

Gastrointestinal practices, especially endoscopy, have a substantial environmental impact, marked by notable greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation. As the world struggles with climate change, there emerges a pressing need to re-evaluate and reform the environmental footprint within gastrointestinal medicine. The challenge lies in finding a harmonious balance between ensuring clinical effectiveness and upholding environmental responsibility. This task involves recognising that the most significant reduction in the carbon footprint of endoscopy is achieved by avoiding unnecessary procedures; addressing the use of single-use endoscopes and accessories; and extending beyond the procedural suites to include clinics, virtual care, and conferences, among other aspects of gastrointestinal practice. The emerging digital realm in health care is crucial, given the potential environmental advantages of virtual gastroenterological care. Through an in-depth analysis, this review presents a path towards sustainable gastrointestinal practices, emphasising integrated strategies that prioritise both patient care and environmental stewardship.

Concordance of Dye-Spraying Chromoendoscopy and Virtual Chromoendoscopy for Colonic Dysplasia Detection in Longstanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In the past, dye-spraying chromoendoscopy was the technique of choice for colonic surveillance in patients with long-standing extensive inflammatory bowel disease. Recent evidence suggests that virtual chromoendoscopy is an equally acceptable technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven gastroenterologists were given a survey with 20 pairs of pictures from inflammatory bowel disease surveillance colonoscopies (10 with nondysplastic lesions, 5 with dysplastic lesions, and 5 with no lesions). Each pair contained the same image captured during colonoscopy using indigo carmine and narrow-band imaging. For each picture, the gastroenterologist assessed the presence/absence of lesion and, when a lesion was identified, assessed the presence/absence of dysplasia and delineated its margins. To compare lesion and dysplasia detection between techniques, sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver agreement were calculated. The chi-square test was used to assess the accuracy of margins delineation.

RESULTS

When assessing lesion and dysplasia detection, similar sensitivity and specificity values were obtained for both techniques. Interobserver agreement analysis revealed that dye-spraying chromoendoscopy and virtual chromoendoscopy had a moderate agreement in lesion detection but, for dysplasia detection, dye-spraying chromoendoscopy had a slight agreement [K = 0.11 (0.03-0.18), P < .01] and virtual chromoendoscopy a fair agreement [K = 0.30 (0.22-0.37), P < .01]. Margin delineation was similar between techniques.

CONCLUSION

Sensitivity and specificity for lesion and dysplasia detection, as well as the accuracy of margins delineation, were similar between dye-spraying chromoendoscopy and virtual chromoendoscopy. Interobserver agreement for dysplasia detection was suboptimal in both techniques; however, it was superior when using virtual chromoendoscopy. These findings suggest that virtual chromoendoscopy constitutes a valid alternative for dysplasia screening in inflammatory bowel disease.

Colorectal cancer surveillance with chromoendoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease: results from a real-life experience

BACKGROUND

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of dysplasia and colorectal cancer with chromoendoscopy, to describe the characteristics and the management of the detected lesions and to identify possible risk factors of dysplasia in clinical practice.

METHODS

Observational, retrospective study of all chromoendoscopies performed between January 2016 and May 2019 in patients with left-sided/extensive ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease involving more than one-third of the colon. Information about all the polyps' characteristics and the treatments received was collected.

RESULTS

A total of 186 chromoendoscopies on 160 patients were reviewed; 57% were men; 54% had ulcerative colitis. The dysplasia detection rate was 24% and 212 lesions were detected: rectum (36%) and left colon (30%). Flat polyps were detected in 57% patients. In total, 123 (62%) lesions were non-neoplastic and 74 (38%) were neoplastic. Among these, 69 (93%) were low grade dysplasia and five (7%) were high grade dysplasia, all of them located in rectum. Two patients (1%) required surgery. During follow-up, no patient developed colorectal cancer. Age over 60 years, flat lesions, polyp >5 mm and right colon localization were found to be risk factors for dysplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reports a high dysplasia detection rate (24%) via targeted chromoendoscopic biopsies. In most cases, lesions were successfully removed by endoscopic resection. Our results underline the importance of colorectal cancer surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Fluorescence Imaging of Breast Tumors and Gastrointestinal Cancer

Optical imaging offers a high potential for noninvasive detection and therapy of cancer in humans. Recent advances in instrumentation for diffuse optical imaging have led to new capabilities for the detection of cancer in highly scattering tissue such as the female breast. In particular, fluorescence imaging was made applicable as a sensitive technique to image molecular probes in vivo. We review recent developments in the detection of breast cancer and fluorescence-guided surgery of the breast by contrast agents available for application on humans. Detection of cancer has been investigated with the unspecific contrast agents "indocyanine green" and "omocianine" so far. Hereby, indocyanine green was found to offer high potential for the differentiation of malignant and benign lesions by exploiting vessel permeability for macromolecules as a cancer-specific feature. Tumor-specific molecular targeting and activatable probes have been investigated in clinical trials for fluorescence-guided tumor margin detection. In this application, high spatial resolution can be achieved, since tumor regions are visualized mainly at the tissue surface. As another example of superficial tumor tissue, imaging of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract is discussed. Promising results have been obtained on high-risk patients with Barrett´s esophagus and with ulcerative colitis by administering 5-aminolevulinic acid which induces accumulation of protoporphyrin IX serving as a tumor-specific fluorescent marker. Time-gated fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy are effective ways to suppress underlying background from tissue autofluorescence. Furthermore, recently developed tumor-specific molecular probes have been demonstrated to be superior to white-light endoscopy offering new ways for early detection of malignancies in the gastrointestinal tract.

Sustained Resolution of Multifocal Low-Grade Dysplasia in Ulcerative Colitis

In inflammatory bowel disease, prolonged disease duration, pancolitis, histological inflammation, and subsequent dysplasia are associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer. Recommendations regarding treatment of low-grade dysplasia (LGD) indicate an individualized approach between colectomy and surveillance. We present a unique case of a patient with ulcerative colitis who had multifocal LGD on 2 consecutive colonoscopies. However, after 10 years and 16 surveillance colonoscopies, she had no further evidence of dysplasia. This appears to be the first case of proven, permanently resolved multifocal LGD in inflammatory bowel disease that challenges our understanding of the natural history of LGD.