Microvascular caliber changes in intramucosal and submucosally invasive esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

Intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCLs) show distinct pattern changes corresponding to tumor progression and depth of invasion, important for in vivo characterization of superficial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We examined the relation between invasion depth and histopathologic IPCL diameter.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospectively, before lesion resection, magnification endoscopy and narrow band imaging were used to identify IPCL patterns of type V1 (corresponding to tumors limited to the mucosa; 10 patients) and type Vn (submucosally invading tumors; 10 patients). Post-resection, IPCL samples (type I [normal mucosa], n = 103; V1, n = 113; Vn, n = 100) were stained with hematoxylin & eosin, CD34, and desmin, and vessel diameter measured using light microscopy.

RESULTS

Mean (standard deviation [SD]) histopathologic calibers of IPCLs of types I, V1, and Vn were significantly different, being 7.7 (2.8) µm, 21.9 (7.4) µm, and 65.2 (22.9) µm; type 1 vs. V1, P < 0.001; V1 vs. Vn, P < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnification endoscopy observation of IPCLs allows in vivo discrimination between intramucosal and submucosally invasive cancer.

Methotrexate for Crohn's disease: experience in a district general hospital

Controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) in the induction and maintenance of remission in patients with luminal Crohn's disease, but its use outside of specialist centres remains limited. We present a case series of 24 patients treated with parenteral MTX in a district general hospital. Patients received an induction course of 25 mg weekly for 16 weeks, followed by maintenance doses of 15 mg weekly. Nineteen patients achieved remission during the induction period. Of these, 10 were maintained in remission for more than 12 months. In total, there were six relapses within 1 year and five drug withdrawals due to side effects during the observation period. Of the six relapses, three required surgical intervention (with two of these re-starting methotrexate postoperatively) and three were recommenced on maintenance MTX after a short period at an increased dose. Our results are similar to outcomes achieved in large, randomized, controlled trials and indicate that MTX can be used safely and effectively for the treatment of refractory Crohn's disease in the district general hospital setting.