Esophageal cancer practice guidelines 2017 edited by the Japan Esophageal Society: part 1

Comparison of Outcomes Between Additional Esophagectomy After Noncurative Endoscopic Resection and Upfront Esophagectomy for T1N0 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Esophagectomy with lymph node dissection is a choice of additional treatment after noncurative endoscopic resection (ER) of T1N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The efficacy and safety of esophagectomy in this situation remain unclear when compared with upfront esophagectomy.

METHODS

We investigated the short- and long-term outcomes of 321 patients with clinical T1N0M0 ESCC who underwent curative esophagectomy, and compared the status of lymph node metastasis, surgical results, and the prognosis between the ER and non-ER groups.

RESULTS

The ER group consisted of 57 patients (17.8%), while the non-ER group consisted of 264 patients (82.2%). The incidence of lymph node metastasis was not significantly different between the ER (24.6%) and non-ER groups (30.7%), and there was no significant difference in surgical outcomes between the groups. The distribution of metastatic lymph nodes was very similar between the groups. However, 13 of 14 patients (93%) with lymph node metastasis in the ER group and 63 of 82 patients (77%) with lymph node metastasis in the non-ER group had pN1 disease, while the remaining 18 patients (23%) with lymph node metastasis in the non-ER group had pN2 or N3 disease. Overall and relapse-free survival rates were significantly better in the ER group than in the non-ER group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). To date, no patients in the ER group experienced disease recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional esophagectomy is a safe and effective treatment modality for patients after noncurative ER.

Predictors of Early and Late Mortality after Endoscopic Resection for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) comprising 90% of cases with esophageal cancer, endoscopic resection (ER) is recommended for patients with negligible risk of ESCC-related mortality. In fact, a main cause of death in patients underwent ER is not ESCC. We thus aimed to clarify the predictors for early and late mortality among patients underwent ER of ESCC between 2005 and 2018 at our institution. In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the prognosis and predictors of early and late mortality with the cut-off value of 3 years. We enrolled 407 patients with a median 69 months follow-up. The 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival, an indicator of ESCC-related mortality, were 83.4% and 98.4%, respectively. In multivariate Cox analyses, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), consisting of six grades by a patient's level of activity, ≥ 2 was a predictor for early and late morality [hazard ratio (HR), 7.21 (P = 0.007) and 15.62 (P = 0.021), respectively]. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), which is an index for predicting mortality by comorbid conditions, ≥ 2 was also a predictor for both mortality [HR, 2.97 (P = 0.017) and 1.90 (P = 0.019), respectively]. However, age was a predictor only for late mortality [HR, 3.08 (P = 0.010) in 80-84 years and 8.38 (P < 0.001) in ≥ 85 years]. Considering the predictive ability for early mortality, we propose that ECOG-PS and/or CCI are better indices compared with age in deciding treatment strategy after ER for ESCC.

Nivolumab versus chemotherapy in Japanese patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a subgroup analysis of a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial (ATTRACTION-3)

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of nivolumab versus chemotherapy was evaluated in the Japanese subpopulation from the overall intent-to-treat (ITT) population of the ATTRACTION-3 trial conducted in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) as second-line treatment.

METHODS

Data from Japanese patients enrolled in the multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 3 ATTRACTION-3 trial were analyzed. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety. Exploratory subgroup analyses evaluated the association between OS and stratification factors/baseline variables.

RESULTS

Overall, 274 (nivolumab, 136; chemotherapy, 138) of the 419 patients in ATTRACTION-3 were enrolled from Japan: response-evaluable population (107; 108) and safety population (135; 138). OS tended to be longer in the nivolumab group versus the chemotherapy group (median: 13.4 months vs. 9.4 months; HR, 0.77; 95% CI 0.59-1.01). Median DOR was longer in the nivolumab group (7.6 months) versus the chemotherapy group (3.6 months). ORRs were similar between the nivolumab [22.4% of patients (24/107)] and chemotherapy groups [22.2% (24/108); odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI 0.52-1.87]. DCR was lower in the nivolumab group [41.1% (44/107)] versus the chemotherapy group [66.7% (72/108)]. OS in the exploratory analysis consistently favored the nivolumab group versus the chemotherapy group. Overall, nivolumab demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety versus chemotherapy in the Japanese subpopulation, and the trend was similar to that observed in the overall ATTRACTION-3 ITT population.

CONCLUSION

Nivolumab represents a new standard second-line treatment option for Japanese patients with advanced ESCC.

Whole exome sequencing and deep sequencing of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma in Japanese patients using the Japanese version of the Genome Atlas, JCGA

BACKGROUND

Recent comprehensive mutation analyses have revealed a relatively small number of driver mutations in esophageal cancer, implicating a limited number of molecular targets, most of which are also implicated in squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated genetic alterations in 44 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) and 8 adenocarcinomas (EAC) from Japanese patients as potential molecular targets, based on data from the Japanese version of The Genome Atlas (JCGA).

RESULTS

Esophageal cancer was characterized by TP53 somatic mutations in ESCC (39/44, 88.6%) and EAC (5/8, 62.5%). In addition to TP53 mutations, somatic mutations in NFE2L2 (16/44, 36.4%), CDKN2A (7/44, 15.9%), and KMT2D (7/44, 15.9%) were more frequently detected in ESCC than in EAC. WRN-truncated type mutations that lead to genomic instability correlate with EAC, but not ESCC. ESCC samples were enriched in ALDH2-associated mutational signature 16 as well as the APOBEC signature. Patients with FAT2 mutations had significantly poorer overall survival compared with those with wild-type status at FAT2 (p < 0.05). Patients with EP300 or PTPRD mutations also had poor progression-free survival compared with respective wild-types (p < 0.05 or p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may facilitate future precision medicine approaches based on genomic profiling in ESCC and EAC.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic versus surgical resection for MM-SM1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using propensity score analysis

BACKGROUND

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) confined to the muscularis mucosae (MM) or up to 200 µm of the submucosa (SM1) confers the risk for lymph node metastasis, and is defined as relative indication for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) by the Japan Esophageal Society guidelines. Although additional surgical treatment after ESD is recommended, long-term outcomes of ESD compared with those of surgery have not been clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of ESD and surgery for cN0M0 relative indication lesions of ESCC.

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2016, patients with relative indication lesions of ESCC who underwent ESD or surgery at nine participating hospitals were examined retrospectively. Using propensity score matching, we evaluated survival curves for and hazard ratios associated with endoscopic submucosal dissection and surgery.

RESULTS

In total, 155 lesions in the ESD group and 106 lesions in the surgery group met the pathological criteria of relative indication for endoscopic resection. After matching, 50 matched pairs of patients who underwent ESD or surgery were selected. The 5-year overall survival rates were 84.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 68-93] in the ESD group and 79% [95% CI 60-90] in the surgery group. The hazard ratio of mortality for ESD compared with that for surgery estimated by Cox regression analysis was 0.79 (95% CI 0.3-2.06, p = 0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with surgery, ESD does not compromise long-term outcomes. ESD alone or ESD with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be an option for the treatment of MM and SM1 ESCC.

Multimodality approaches to control esophageal cancer: development of chemoradiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy

Esophageal cancer has a poor prognosis despite the fact that surgical techniques have been advanced and optimized, and systemic multimodality approaches have progressed recently. Adding chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy to the basic surgical approach have been shown to have therapeutic benefit for esophageal cancer. This review describes the latest development of chemoradiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, which have contributed to the reduction in esophageal cancer growth and improved the survival of patients. Chemoradiation is a treatment option for resectable esophageal cancer to preserve the esophagus for patients who cannot tolerate surgery. Moreover, a combination of chemoradiotherapy and salvage surgery could extend the survival of patients. The effects of a triplet chemotherapy regimen are currently being verified in some Phase III studies for unresectable advanced/recurrent esophageal cancer. In addition, with the great promise of immune checkpoint inhibitors, strategies that incorporate the use of immunotherapy may shift from the metastatic setting to the neoadjuvant/adjuvant setting as a result of clinical trials. More precise comprehension of the molecular biology of esophageal cancer is expected to further control disease progression using multimodality treatments in the future.

Creation and provision of a question and answer resource for esophageal cancer based on medical professionals' reports of patients' and families' views and preferences

BACKGROUND

In the rapidly-progressing healthcare environment, it is essential to improve treatment quality through continuous clarification of the needs and concerns of esophageal cancer patients and their families. Effective collaboration between information providers and academic associations could help make such clarified information available.

METHODS

We analyzed esophageal cancer patients' views and preferences (PVPs) using data that were previously obtained from medical staff in Japan. Based on these PVPs, we created a question and answer (Q&A) resource through collaboration with the Cancer Information Service in Japan (CISJ) and the Japan Esophageal Society (JES).

RESULTS

Regarding esophageal cancer, "diet and eating behavior" was the most frequent PVP mentioned by patients and their families, followed by "treatment-related symptoms and adverse effects" and "daily life, recuperation, and survivorship." These PVPs were noted by a wide variety of medical specialties. By analyzing the PVPs, the CISJ developed 11 proposed questions and sent them to the JES, which then created answers based on evidence and clinical-practice-associated consensus. The resultant Q&A resource was uploaded to the CISJ website with mutual linkage to the JES website.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the usefulness of collecting esophageal-cancer-related PVPs from medical staff and fostering successful collaboration between a cancer-information provider and an academic association. This arrangement may represent a model case for developing a sustainable system that can satisfactorily respond to PVPs regarding other cancers and/or issues.

Preoperative Diagnosis and Indications for Endoscopic Resection of Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Endoscopic resection (ER) is the mainstay of treatment for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) instead of esophagectomy because of its minimal invasiveness and favorable clinical outcomes. Developments in endoscopic submucosal dissection have enabled en bloc resection of SESCCs regardless of size, thus reducing the risk of local recurrence. Although ER for SESCC is effective, metastasis may subsequently occur. Additionally, extensive esophageal ER confers a risk of postoperative esophageal stricture. Therefore, accurate assessment of the invasion depth and circumferential extent of SESCCs is important in determining the indications for ER. Diagnostic accuracies for SESCC invasion differ between epithelial (EP)/lamina propria (LPM), muscularis mucosa (MM)/submucosal (SM1), and SM2 cancers. ER is strongly indicated for clinically diagnosed (c)EP/LPM cancers because 90% of these are as pathologically diagnosed (p)EP/LPM, which has a very low risk of metastasis. Remarkably, the diagnostic accuracy for cMM/SM1 differs significantly with lateral spread of cancer. Eighty percent of cMM/SM1 cancers with ≤3/4 circumferential spread prove to be pEP/LPM or pMM/SM1, which have very low or low risk of metastasis. Thus, these are adequate candidates for ER. However, given the relatively low proportion of pEP/LPM or pMM/SM1 and high risk of subsequent stricture, ER is not recommended for whole circumferential cMM/SM1 cancers. For cMM/SM1 cancers that involve >3/4 but not the whole circumference, ER should be considered on a lesion-by-lesion basis because the risk of post-ER stricture is not very high, but the proportion of pEP/LPM or pMM/SM1 is relatively low. ER is contraindicated for cSM2 cancers because 75% of them are pSM2, which has high risk of metastasis.

Outcomes of Definitive Chemoradiotherapy for Stage IVa (T4b vs. N4) Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on the Japanese Classification System: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

The differences in prognoses or progression patterns between T4b non-N4 and non-T4b N4 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma post chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is unclear. This study compared the outcomes of CRT for stage IVa esophageal squamous cell carcinoma according to T/N factors. We retrospectively identified 66 patients with stage IVa esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent definitive CRT at our center between January 2009 and March 2013. The treatment outcomes, i.e., progression patterns, prognostic factors, and toxicities based on version 5.0 of the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, were studied. The patients (56 men and 10 women) had a median age of 67 (range: 37-87) years. The T/N classifications were T4b non-N4 (28/66), non-T4b N4 (24/66), and T4b N4 (14/66). Objective response was achieved in 57 patients (86.4%, (95% confidence interval, 74.6-94.1%)). There were no significant differences between the T/N groups in terms of overall survival, progression-free survival, and progression pattern. We found no significant differences in prognoses or progression patterns among patients with T4b non-N4, non-T4b N4, and T4b N4 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, it seems impractical to modify CRT regimens based on T/N factors.

Clinical safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy of tranilast in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Phase I/II study (TNAC)

BACKGROUND

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) was previously shown to play an important role in the maintenance of cancer stem cells, and its specific inhibitor, tranilast, also has potential as a targeted therapeutic agent for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The present study is being conducted to confirm the safety and efficacy of the additional use of tranilast with conventional preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with advanced ESCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 56 and 59 patients aged between 20 and 74 years with clinically diagnosed Stage II or Stage III ESCC will be enrolled. Eligible patients will receive preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, 2 cycles of combination therapy with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and tranilast. Recruitment started in November 2019, with the final follow-up being planned for March 2029. One subject has been enrolled since October 21, 2020. The pathological therapeutic effect is the primary endpoint. The objective response rate, safety of preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) are the secondary endpoints. RFS and OS will be calculated as the time from surgery to first recurrence and all-cause death, respectively.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Boards of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and all participating hospitals in August 30, 2019 (Number: CRB5180001). Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients before their registration, which is in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The results of the present study will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial registration number jRCTs051190076.

Role of COL3A1 and POSTN on Pathologic Stages of Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a primary malignant tumor originating from the esophageal of the epithelium. Surgical resection is a potential treatment for EC, but this is only appropriate for patients who have locally resectable lesions suitable for surgery. However, most patients with EC are at a late stage when diagnosed. Therefore, there is an urgent need to further explore the pathogenesis of EC to enable early diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

Our study downloaded 2 expression spectrum datasets (GSE92396 and GSE100942) in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GEO2 R was used to identify the Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the samples of EC and control. Using the DAVID tool to make the Functional enrichment analysis. Constructing A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Identifying the Hub genes. The impact of hub gene expression on overall survival and their expression based on immunohistochemistry were analyzed. Associated microRNAs were also predicted.

RESULTS

There were 36 common DEGs identified. The analysis of GO and KEGG results shown that the variations were predominantly concentrated in the extracellular matrix (ECM), ECM organization, DNA binding, platelet activation, and ECM-receptor interactions. COL3A1 and POSTN had high expression in EC tissues which was compared with their expression in healthy tissues. Analysis of pathologic stages showed that when COL3A1 and POSTN were highly expressed, the stage of the pathologic of EC patients was relatively high (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

COL3A1 and POSTN may play an important role in the advancement and occurrence of EC. These genes could provide some novel ideas and basis for the diagnosis and targeted treatment of EC.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection with additional radiotherapy in the treatment of T1a esophageal squamous cell cancer: randomized controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is effective for treating T1a early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, occasional recurrences are inevitable. This trial was designed to clarify the efficacy of combining ESD with additional radiotherapy in the treatment of T1a ESCC.

METHODS

Between January 2015 and September 2018, patients with early ESCC (T1aN0M0) following ESD were randomly assigned (1:1) to the radiotherapy group or non-radiotherapy group. Patients in the radiotherapy group received a median radiation dose of 59.4 Gy within 2 months after ESD. In the non-radiotherapy group, patients underwent regular follow-up only. Recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival, overall survival, and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

70 patients completed the per-protocol treatment. Three patients in the non-radiotherapy group experienced intraluminal mucosal recurrence compared with none in the radiotherapy group. No local lymph node or distant metastases occurred in either group. The 3-year cumulative recurrence-free survival was 100 % in the radiotherapy group and 85.3 % in the non-radiotherapy group (P = 0.04; hazard ratio 0.08, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.01 - 0.86). However, there was no significant difference in RFS between the treatments within the T1a invasion subgroups (P > 0.05). No patient died in either group. Mucosal defects of more than three-quarters of the esophageal circumference were positively correlated with stenosis (P < 0.01; odds ratio 23.26, 95 %CI 4.04 - 133.86). No severe radiation toxicities were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy after ESD might be a safe and effective optional therapeutic strategy to prevent recurrence of T1a ESCC.

The first evidence for SLFN11 expression as an independent prognostic factor for patients with esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) was recently identified as a dominant determinant of sensitivity to DNA-targeting agents including platinum-based drugs. SLFN11 also reportedly enhances cellular radiosensitivity. In this study, we examined the prognostic value of SLFN11 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT), including the platinum derivative nedaplatin.

METHODS

Seventy-three patients with ESCC who received dCRT were examined. SLFN11 expression was analyzed in pre-dCRT biopsies using immunohistochemistry and evaluated using a histo-score (H-score). Correlation between the H-score and overall survival was analyzed. An H-score ≥ 51 was provisionally defined as indicating high SLFN11 expression. Viability assays were performed using previously established isogenic human cell lines differentially expressing SLFN11 to test the usefulness of SLFN11 as marker of response to the dCRT regimen.

RESULTS

High SLFN11 expression was independently associated with better prognosis in ESCC patients (hazard ratio = 0.295, 95% CI = 0.143-0.605, p = 0.001 for multivariate analysis). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the prognostic value of high SLFN11 expression was most evident in patients at clinical stages II and III (p = 0.004). In in vitro study, SLFN11-proficient cells were highly sensitive to platinum derivatives compared to SLFN11-deficient cells.

CONCLUSION

SLFN11 expression is an independent prognostic factor for ESCC patients treated with dCRT and a potential biomarker for treatment selection of ESCC. Examination of SLFN11 may be particularly useful for clinical Stage II-III patients who wish to choose dCRT (instead of surgery) to preserve esophageal function.

Narrow band imaging under less-air condition improves the visibility of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The current virtual chromoendoscopy equipment cannot completely detect superficial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the esophagus, despite its development in the recent years. Thus, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the appropriate air volume during endoscopic observation to improve the visibility of esophageal SCC.

METHODS

This retrospective study included a total of 101 flat type esophageal SCCs identified between April 2017 and January 2019 at the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute. Video images of narrow band imaging (NBI) under both less-air and standard-air conditions were recorded digitally. Videos were evaluated by five endoscopists. Relative visibility between less-air and standard-air conditions of the brownish area, brownish color change of the epithelium, and dilated intrapapillary capillary loop (IPCL) were graded as 5 (definitely better under less-air condition) to 1 (definitely worse under less-air condition), with 3 indicating average visibility (equivalent to standard-air observation).

RESULTS

The mean (standard deviation) visibility score of the brownish area, brownish color change of the epithelium, and dilated IPCLs under less-air condition were 3.94 (0.58), 3.73 (0.57), and 4.13 (0.60), respectively, which were significantly better than that under standard-air condition (p < 0.0001). Esophageal SCC evaluated as ≥ 4 in the mean visibility score of the brownish area, brownish color change of the epithelium, and dilated IPCLs accounted for 50% (51/101 lesions), 34% (34/101 lesions), and 67% (68/101 lesions), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results suggested that NBI with less air might improve the visibility of flat type esophageal SCC compared with NBI with standard air. Less-air NBI observation may facilitate the detection of flat type esophageal SCC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The present study is a non-intervention trial.

Comparison of Preoperative CT Colonography and Colonoscopy for Esophageal Reconstruction with Colonic Interposition

Colonic evaluation is an essential step before proceeding with esophagectomy to reconstruct by colonic interposition. Colonoscopy is the standard practice for colorectal cancer screening, but it has a chance of failing cecal intubation and carries a risk of horrific adverse events by colonic perforation. CT colonography is a less invasive alternative method reported as useful for colonoscopic screening in cases of average risk of colorectal cancer. This study set out to report our clinical experience and to evaluate CT colonography in the preoperative process for colonic interposition of esophagectomy patients. Data for esophagectomy with colonic interposition patients were retrospectively analyzed and compared the colonoscopy group with the CT colonography group. During eight years, 31 patients, 12 patients in the colonoscopy group and 19 patients in the CT colonography group, included in this study. In both groups, the patient demographic data, procedures, and outcomes were not different. After colonic interposition, endoscopy was performed, and no lesions of conduits were detected. CT colonography is a minimally invasive and reliable option for colonic evaluation method for the patient of average colorectal cancer risk who has undergone esophagectomy with colonic interposition.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection and comparison to surgery for superficial esophageal squamous cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal squamous cancer.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using PubMed, ProQuest and Cochrane Library databases. Primary outcomes were overall survival, disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival at 5 years. Secondary outcomes included adverse events, recurrence and metastasis. Hazard ratios were calculated based on time to events for survival analysis, and odds radios were used to compare discrete variables.

RESULTS

A total of 3796 patients in 21 retrospective studies, including 5 comparative studies for ESD and esophagectomy were enrolled. The invasion depth was 52.0% for M1-M2, 43.2% for M3-SM1 and 4.7% for SM2 or deeper. The 5-year survival rate was: overall survival 87.3%, disease-specific survival 97.7%, and recurrence-free survival 85.1%, respectively. Pooled local recurrence of ESD was 1.8% and metastasis was 3.3%. In terms of the comparison between ESD and esophagectomy, there was no difference in the overall survival (86.4% versus 81.8%, hazard ratio = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.39-1.11) as well as disease-specific and recurrence-free survival. In addition, ESD was associated with fewer adverse events (19.8 % versus 44.0%, odds ratio = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.23-0.39).

CONCLUSIONS

For superficial esophageal squamous cancer, ESD may be considered as the primary treatment of for mucosal lesions, and additional treatment should be available for submucosal invasive cancers.

Real-time assessment of video images for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invasion depth using artificial intelligence

BACKGROUND

Although optimal treatment of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) requires accurate evaluation of cancer invasion depth, the current process is rather subjective and may vary by observer. We, therefore, aimed to develop an AI system to calculate cancer invasion depth.

METHODS

We gathered and selected 23,977 images (6857 WLI and 17,120 NBI/BLI images) of pathologically proven superficial esophageal SCC from endoscopic videos and still images of superficial esophageal SCC taken in our facility, to use as a learning dataset. We annotated the images with information [such as magnified endoscopy (ME) or non-ME, pEP-LPM, pMM, pSM1, and pSM2-3 cancers] based on pathologic diagnosis of the resected specimens. We created a model using a convolutional neural network. Performance of the AI system was compared with that of invited experts who used the same validation video set, independent of the learning dataset.

RESULTS

Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity with non-magnified endoscopy (ME) were 87%, 50%, and 99% for the AI system and 85%, 45%, 97% for the experts. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity with ME were 89%, 71%, and 95% for the AI system and 84%, 42%, 97% for the experts.

CONCLUSIONS

Most diagnostic parameters were higher when done by the AI system than by the experts. These results suggest that our AI system could potentially provide useful support during endoscopies.

Vertical distance from navel as a risk factor for bowel obstruction associated with feeding jejunostomy after esophagectomy: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Placement of feeding jejunostomy (PFJ) during esophagectomy is an effective method to maintain adequate nutrition, but is associated with serious complications such as bowel obstruction and jejunal torsion. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the incidence, clinical features, and risk factors of bowel obstruction associated with feeding jejunostomy (BOFJ) after PFJ.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 70 patients who underwent esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer and treated with PFJ between March 2013 and December 2019 in our hospital. Abdominal dissection was performed under hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) from March 2013 to March 2015, and was changed to complete laparoscopic surgery in April 2015. We compared patients with and without BOFJ, and the incidence of BOFJ was evaluated. The primary endpoint was incidence of BOFJ after PFJ.

Results

Six patients (8.5%) were diagnosed with BOFJ, all of whom were symptomatic and in the HALS group. In addition, 3 cases displayed histories of recurrent BOFJ (3, 3, and 5 times). Laparotomy was performed in all cases. Subgroup analysis of the HALS group showed a significant difference only in straight-line distance between the jejunostomy and navel as a significant pre- and perioperative factor (117 mm [101–130 mm] vs. 89 mm [51–150 mm], p < 0.001). Furthermore, dividing straight-line distance between the jejunostomy and navel into VD and HD, only VD differed significantly (107 mm [93–120 mm] vs. 79 mm [28–135 mm], p = 0.010), not HD (48 mm [40–59 mm] vs. 46 mm [22–60 mm], p = 0.199).

Conclusions

VD between the jejunostomy and navel was associated with BOFJ after PFJ with HALS esophagectomy. PFJ < 9 cm above the navel during HALS esophagectomy might effectively prevent BOFJ.

Multi-institutional Evaluation of Curative Intent Chemoradiotherapy for Patients With Clinical T1N0 Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with clinical T1N0M0 esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Methods and Materials

This was a retrospective study of patients with clinical T1N0 adenocarcinoma of the esophagus treated with curative-intent CRT between 2004 and 2017 at 2 tertiary care centers. Patients received CRT instead of esophagectomy owing to medical comorbidities or patient preference. Toxicities were evaluated according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall, progression-free, and disease-specific survivals.

Results

Twenty-eight patients were included for analysis. Median age was 76 years (range 55-90). The majority of patients were male (93%) and had a history of Barrett’s esophagus (71%). Tumor characteristics included distal esophagus location (93%), clinical stage T1b (86%), and median length of 2 cm (range, 1-9). Prior endoscopic resection was performed in 57%.

The median follow-up was 44 months (range, 4-146). The acute grade 3 adverse events were observed in 7 patients (25%). One patient died of complications potentially related to chemoradiation. Eight patients (29%) had disease progression at a median of 7.6 months after CRT. First site of progression was local only (14%), local and regional (11%), or distant (4%). Salvage locally directed treatment was performed in 3 of 4 patients with local-only recurrence. The 3-year overall survival, progression-free, and disease-specific rates were 78%, 62%, and 81%, respectively.

Conclusion

CRT is a safe and effective curative treatment strategy for select patients with clinical T1N0M0 esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Managing a gastrointestinal oncology practice in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: single institutional experience in The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared to be a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. On April 7, 2020, a state of emergency was declared in Japan, as had been by other nations worldwide. This unprecedented crisis has profound implications for patients undergoing chemotherapy and for practicing healthcare professionals. Various reports have shown data indicating that cancer patients with COVID-19 have high morbidity and mortality rates. In order to reduce the use of medical resources to avoid the risk of COVID-19 infections in both cancer patients and health care providers, oncologists now have to draw the line for cancer treatments by maintaining their efficacy while avoiding severe adverse events. In this article, we outlined the decisions made regarding the practice of gastrointestinal oncology in our institution during the COVID pandemic.

Simultaneous triple cancer of the esophagus, pancreas and rectum treated with multimodal strategies: a case report

BACKGROUND

Due to the development of diagnostic imaging technology, we have increased chance of detecting multiple primary cancers. However, simultaneous triple cancer is still a very rare finding whose frequency is not yet known. Treatment of simultaneous triple cancer is a clinical challenge because it requires multimodal strategies including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here, we present the case of a 74-year-old male with triple cancer involving esophageal and pancreatic cancer, and rectal carcinoma. Each cancer was surgically resectable, but simultaneous resection of all cancers seemed to cause too much surgical stress for the patient. First, we performed a laparoscopic Hartmann's operation for rectal cancer to minimize the risk of postoperative complications. Then treatment for pancreatic cancer was initiated by administering neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel. The pancreatic tumor shrank in size, so pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. We chose S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy. The esophageal cancer showed regression during the treatment of the other two cancers, likely because the chemotherapeutic agents administered for pancreatic cancer had some effect on the esophageal cancer. Definitive chemoradiotherapy was selected instead of esophagectomy because the patient had already undergone two major surgeries. The patient is still alive nine months after the whole course of treatment with no sign of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of triple cancer requires an elaborate strategy to determine which cancer has to be dealt with first and which can be treated later. An aggressive multimodal treatment strategy may be an important option for a patient with triple cancer.

Long-Term Outcomes of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

In this review, we summarize up-to-date reports with 5-year survival after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In ESD for the depth of the epithelium (m1) or lamina propria (m2), the 5-year cause-specific survival and 5-year overall survival rates were reported to be 98-100%, and 85-95%, respectively. In cases with submucosal invasion or vascular involvement, additional prophylactic treatment such as chemoradiotherapy or surgery was recommended, and the 5-year cause-specific survival and 5-year overall survival rates were reported to be 85-100%, and 56-84%, respectively. Additional treatment might be too invasive for the elderly or patients with severe comorbidities. The risk of additional therapy should be balanced against the risk of lymph node metastasis, considering the life expectancy of such patients.

Prophylactic steroid administration against strictures is not enough for mucosal defects involving the entire circumference of the esophageal lumen after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)

BACKGROUNDS

The width of mucosal defects after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is known to be a risk factor for esophageal strictures. Although steroid injection and oral steroid have recently been reported as prophylactic treatments, these were shown to be ineffective in a subset of patients with post-ESD mucosal defects involving the entire circumference of the esophagus. The aim of this study was to demonstrate outcome with prophylactic steroid administration for post-ESD mucosal defects involving the entire circumference, and to explore risk factors for esophageal strictures except for circumference of the esophagus.

METHODS

Between November 2012 and August 2018, we enrolled patients with post-ESD mucosal defects involving the entire circumference of the esophagus who had received steroid injection (triamcinolone acetonide 50-100 mg, given immediately after ESD) followed by oral steroid (prednisolone 30 mg/day, tapered gradually over 8 weeks) as prophylactic treatment. Esophageal stricture was defined as case where ordinary-sized endoscope could not pass through post-ESD site, thus requiring endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) repeatedly until relief of stricture was achieved. We retrospectively evaluated the rates of strictures, refractory strictures (requiring ≥ 6 EBD procedures) and unimproved strictures (not improvable by repeated EBD alone) and explored risk factors for strictures.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients met the including criteria. The rates of strictures, refractory strictures, and unimproved strictures were 62%, 38%, and 12%, respectively. The pre-ESD longitudinal extension of the lesion > 5 cm was identified as a risk factor for refractory strictures, suggesting that lesions with this factor had a shorter time to stricture development, required more EBD procedures, and longer EBD durations.

CONCLUSION

Although additional study is required in a larger number of patients, careful consideration needs to be given to ESD as an indication for large spreading ESCC involving the entire circumference of esophagus given its high stricture risk.

Recent advances in treating oesophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive malignancy with an increasing incidence and a poor prognosis. EC is histologically divided into two major categories: adenocarcinoma (EAC) and squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). EAC and ESCC are molecularly different and therefore treatments should reflect the respective histological subtype. Combined modality therapy is needed for localized EC. When EC is advanced (stage 4), systemic therapy is the mainstay treatment for palliation. For localized EC, several strategies are considered standard, and more trials are necessary to determine a unified and more effective approach. The management for advanced EC is slowly evolving as immunotherapy is showing some promise for ESCC, but more data from ongoing studies are anticipated. Treatment advances will be based on high-definition genomic investigation of individual tumors. Herein, we review the contemporary trends in diagnosing and treating EAC and ESCC.

Epidemiology of esophageal cancer: update in global trends, etiology and risk factors

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common type of cancer worldwide and constitutes the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths. It is characterized by its high mortality rate, poor prognosis at time of diagnosis and variability based on geographic location. Present day, the prevalence of esophageal cancer is in transition. Although esophageal squamous cell carcinoma continues to be the most prevalent type worldwide, esophageal adenocarcinoma is quickly becoming the most prevalent type in developed countries. Risk factors for the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma include low socioeconomic status, consumption of tobacco, alcohol, hot beverages, and nitrosamines. Additionally, micronutrient deficiencies have also been linked to the development of esophageal squamous cell cancer. These include vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate. With respect to esophageal adenocarcinoma, risk factors include Barrett's esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, obesity, and tobacco consumption. Screening for esophageal cancer will likely play an essential role in prevention, and consequently, mortality in the future. Present day, there are no established guidelines for esophageal squamous cell cancer screening. Guidelines for esophageal adenocarcinoma are more well established but lack concrete evidence in the form of randomized controlled trials. This review will discuss the epidemiology, risk factors, and current prevention strategies for esophageal cancer in depth. It is our aim to raise awareness on the aforementioned topics to increase public health efforts in eradicating this disease.

Chemoradiotherapy with extended nodal irradiation and/or erlotinib in locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell cancer: long-term update of a randomised phase 3 trial

Background

To report the long-term outcomes of a phase III trial designed to test two hypotheses: (1) elective nodal irradiation (ENI) is superior to conventional field irradiation (CFI), and (2) chemoradiotherapy plus erlotinib is superior to chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC).

Methods

Patients with locally advanced ESCC were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1 ratio) to one of the four groups: A: radiotherapy adoption of ENI with two cycles of concurrent TP chemotherapy (paclitaxel and cisplatin) plus erlotinib; B: radiotherapy adoption of ENI with two cycles of concurrent TP; C: radiotherapy adoption of CFI with two cycles of concurrent TP plus erlotinib and D: radiotherapy adoption of CFI with two cycles of concurrent TP. A total of 60 Gy of radiation doses was delivered over 30 fractions. We explored the impact of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression on the efficacy of erlotinib plus chemoradiotherapy.

Results

A total of 352 patients (88 assigned to each treatment group) were enrolled. The 5-year survival rates were 44.9%, 34.8%, 33.8% and 19.6% in groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P = 0.013). ENI significantly improved OS compared with standard CFI (median, 38.5 vs 22.6 months; HR, 0.74; P = 0.018). The addition of erlotinib significantly improved OS (median, 39.4 vs 27.4 months; HR, 0.75; P = 0.025). Patients with overexpressing EGFR treated with erlotinib had a better OS and PFS than those without erlotinib.

Conclusions

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with ENI and/or erlotinib improved long-term survival in locally advanced ESCC.

Clinical trial registration

Trial registration: NCT00686114.

Residual tumor characteristics of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The study was to investigate the characteristics of residual tumors of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

The resection specimens of 187 patients undergoing surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University were reevaluated. Tumor regression grade determined by residual tumor ratios was scored for each specific layer of the esophageal wall and all removed lymph nodes for 4 grades as tumor regression grade 1, 0% residual tumors, tumor regression grade 2, less than 10%; tumor regression grade 3, 10% to 50%; tumor regression grade 4, greater than 50%. The pretreatment pathologic tumor stage and pretreatment pathologic lymph node stage before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were recorded reflecting the original depth of primary tumor and number of originally involved lymph nodes, respectively. According to regression directionality, regression pattern was classified into 4 categories as type I: regression toward the lumen, type II: regression toward the invasive front, type III: concentric regression, and type IV: scattered regression. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney, chi-square, Cochran Q tests, and Kendall τ-b coefficient, appropriately.

RESULTS

A total of 138 patients have residual tumors, and 97 patients (70.3%), 100 patients (72.5%), 89 patients (64.5%), 63 patients (45.7%), and 68 patients (49.3%) have malignant cells in mucosa, submucosa, muscularis propria, adventitia/surrounding stroma, and lymph nodes, respectively. A total of 115 patients (83.3%) had residual tumors in the mucosa or submucosa, but 63 (54.8%) were graded as tumor regression grade 2 with small amounts of tumors in these 2 layers, 9 patients (6.5%) had residual tumors only in the deep 2 layers, and 14 patients (10.1%) had residual tumors only in lymph nodes. Overall, 86 patients (62.7%) with residual tumors are difficult to identify via present techniques. In patients with tumors that involved all esophageal layers before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, only muscularis propria contained residual tumors significantly more frequently than the adventitia/surrounding stroma (P < .001). The random type IV and nonrandom regression patterns of type I to III were comparable with 48.9% and 51.1%, respectively. In patients with positive lymph node before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, only a small portion of patients (29.2%, 28/96) achieved ypN0 status (nodes pathological complete response), even worse than the primary lesions (33.6%, 63/187) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The small amount of viable tumor cells in the superficial layers, low pathological complete response rate of lymph nodes, and diverse regression patterns lead to difficulty of detecting residual tumors in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Prognostic Impact of Sarcopenic Obesity after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery in Elderly Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

We evaluated the impact of body composition on clinical outcomes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery for elderly cStage II/III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Ninety-one patients ≥70 years old and 116 patients <70 years old with ECSS who underwent NAC between January 2013 and June 2018 at the Aichi Cancer Center were included. Body composition as assessed from computed tomography (CT), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA-PS), and subjective global assessment (SGA) was assessed before initiation of NAC. Although elderly patients showed significantly poorer ASA-PS (p < 0.01) and SGA (p < 0.01), and significantly more frequent history of malignancy (p < 0.05), no significant differences were identified in the frequencies of adverse events, postoperative complications, or in cancer-specific survival (p = 0.65, hazard ratio 1.15), or overall survival (p = 0.42, hazard ratio 1.26). However, multivariate analysis identified sarcopenic obesity as the only independent predictor of prognosis in elderly patients. Sarcopenic obesity was associated with higher body mass index (p = 0.04), better SGA (p < 0.01), and lower pre-treatment weight loss (p = 0.03). NAC was as effective and safe for elderly patients without sarcopenic obesity as for young patients. However, diagnosing sarcopenic obesity based on clinical findings is difficult, so the preoperative CT assessment of sarcopenic obesity is important.

Long-Term Prognostic Predictors of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Potentially Indicated for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

INTRODUCTION

Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have various comorbidities. Thus, it is necessary to determine the appropriateness of performing treatment based on the patient's general condition.

AIM

This study aimed to clarify the prognostic predictors of ESCC indicated for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 241 patients with superficial ESCC endoscopically diagnosed as ESD-indicated lesions at the Nagoya University Hospital between January 2007 and December 2017. We evaluated the 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates and prognostic predictors, such as the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Psoas Muscle Index, and Controlling Nutritional Status score. Furthermore, we created a score-based classification using the prognostic predictors identified by multivariate analysis, and the 3- and 5-year OS rates were compared among the calculated scores.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, PNI < 45 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-4.46; p = 0.006) and CCI ≥ 3 (HR: 4.42; 95% CI: 2.40-8.12; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the OS. Based on the HR, 0 and 1 were assigned to PNI and 0, 2, and 4 were assigned to CCI, and the score classification of 0-5 points was created. The 3- and 5-year OS rates in patients with a score 3 were significantly higher than in those with scores 4 and 5. As a result of scoring, the prognosis was stratified; the 3- and 5-year OS rates in patients with scores 4 and 5, that is, CCI ≥ 6, were clearly low, at approximately 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

CCI and PNI can be prognostic predictors of patients with superficial ESCC indicated for ESD. Observation without ESD might be an acceptable strategy among patients with CCI ≥ 6.

The Negative Impact of Preoperative Chemotherapy on Survival After Esophagectomy for Vulnerable Elderly Patients with Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

The standard treatment for patients 75 years of age or younger with cStage 2 or 3 esophageal cancer is preoperative chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy. The optimal treatment for elderly patients, especially those considered vulnerable, remains unclear.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed the data for 42 patients ages 75-80 years with cStage 2 or 3 esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy between October 2002 and February 2019. The patients who received preoperative chemotherapy were compared with those who did not. The study also examined short- and long-term outcomes and the impact of preoperative chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) stratified by performance status (PS).

RESULTS

Of the 42 patients, 18 underwent esophagectomy without preoperative chemotherapy and 24 underwent esophagectomy after preoperative chemotherapy. A significantly greater proportion of the patients with PS 0 received preoperative chemotherapy than the patients with PS 1 (P =0.007). The multivariate analysis showed preoperative chemotherapy to be an independent negative prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 5.025; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.136-22.222; P = 0.033). Subgroup analysis showed that preoperative chemotherapy had a significant negative impact on the OS of the patients with PS 1 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative chemotherapy was ineffective for the patients with PS 0 and had a significantly negative impact on the OS of the patients with PS 1. Preoperative chemotherapy should not be administered to patients 75 years of age or older with cStage 2 or 3 esophageal cancer.

Role of surgery in multidisciplinary treatment strategies for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

We reviewed the current status and future perspectives regarding the role of surgery in multidisciplinary treatment strategies for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The treatment and management of ESCC have been improved by dramatic advances in diagnostic techniques and the development of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. The current standard treatment for locally advanced ESCC is preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery in Japan, whereas preoperative chemoradiotherapy is a globally recommended approach. Differences of recognition regarding the role for surgery between Japan and many Western countries may have created peculiar preferences for preoperative therapy. The clinical significance of conversion strategy and salvage surgery for patients with ESCC should be further evaluated in terms of curability and safety. Although strategies to identify patients who would benefit from preoperative therapy are strongly required to avoid performing unnecessary treatment, it remains difficult to predict the efficacy of preoperative therapy prior to treatment. Prospective clinical trials and basic research to identify predictive biomarkers for response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are needed to promote the development of multidisciplinary treatment strategies for patients with ESCC.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection versus esophagectomy for early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with tumor invasion to different depths

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive alternative to esophagectomy for early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (EESCC). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ESD and esophagectomy in EESCC with different depth of invasion. The data of EESCC patients who received ESD or esophagectomy between Jan 2011 to Dec 2018 at our center were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and procedure-related variables were compared between ESD and esophagectomy patients. 222 EESCC patients underwent ESD, while 184 underwent esophagectomy. No significant differences were found between the two groups in OS (P=0.417), DSS (P=0.423), and RFS (P=0.726). Procedure duration, post-procedure hospital stay, and hospitalization cost were all lower in ESD patients. Oncologic outcomes were similar between the two groups in propensity score-matched analysis. The R0 resection rate was comparable between ESD and esophagectomy groups in the T1a-M1/M2 and M3/SM1 EESCC subgroups; no significant differences were found in OS, DSS and RFS. In the SM2/SM3 EESCC subgroup, although the prognosis of the two treatment groups was similar, the R0 resection rate was significantly lower in ESD patients than in esophagectomy patients. Thus, we concluded ESD could be a first-line treatment for T1a-M1/M2 and M3/SM1 EESCC as oncologic outcome is comparable to that achieved with esophagectomy with minimal invasion, lower cost and lower incidence of serious adverse events. However, in SM2/SM3 EESCC patients, esophagectomy may be preferable.

Management following endoscopic resection in elderly patients with early-stage upper gastrointestinal neoplasia

With the ongoing increase in the aging population in Japan, the number of elderly patients among the total population with upper gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasia has also been increasing. As elderly patients present unique age-related variations in their physical condition, the therapeutic approach for upper GI neoplasia should be differentiated between elderly and nonelderly patients. According to the existing guidelines, additional treatment is the standard therapy in patients who undergo endoscopic resection (ER) with a possible risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) for upper GI neoplasia. However, due to the relatively low rate of LNM, applying additional treatment in all elderly patients may be excessive. Although additional treatment has the advantage of reducing cancer-specific mortality, its disadvantages include deteriorated quality of life, complications, and mortality in surgery. In patients with early gastric cancer, we propose treatment decisions be made using a risk-scoring system for LNM and upon considering the physical condition of the patient after ER with curability C-2. In those with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with a possible risk of LNM after ER, selective chemoradiotherapy may be a less-invasive treatment option, although the present standard treatment is esophagectomy. When considering the treatment decision, achieving a "cure" of the tumor has been regarded as critical. However, as the main cause of mortality in elderly patients with ER for upper GI neoplasia is noncancer-related death, both achieving a "cure" and also a good level of "care" is important in the management of elderly patients.

Pathologic assessment of endoscopic resection specimens with superficial carcinoma of the esophagus: current practice and practical issues

Endoscopic resection (ER) has become the first-line therapy for early esophageal cancer and offers a treatment alternative to surgery, owing to less morbidity and better quality of life. ER techniques include endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). EMR is faster, simpler, and cheaper than ESD, but limited by its ability to resect lesions larger than 1.5 centimeters. Piecemeal EMR has limitations, including a high local recurrence rate and a suboptimal specimen for an accurate pathologic assessment. ESD, on the other hand, allows en bloc resections with negative (R0) margins, irrespective of lesion size, providing an excellent pathologic specimen, however, is technically challenging with a higher risk of complications. The evaluation of ER specimens in pathology varies slightly from institution to institution. Our review summarizes the current practices and issues in the pathologic assessment of esophageal ER specimens, which highlights the necessity of a systematic approach and standardization of both macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. There is a need for a comprehensive and standardized pathology report that will allow for uniform terminology for endoscopists, surgeons, and pathologists, which, in turn, will result in better treatment guidance.

Endoscopic mucosal resection vs endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial non-ampullary duodenal tumors

BACKGROUND

The selection of endoscopic treatments for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) is controversial.

AIM

To compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for SNADETs.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with SNADETs from a database of endoscopic treatment for SNADETs, which included eight hospitals in Fukuoka, Japan, between April 2001 and October 2017. A total of 142 patients with SNADETs treated with EMR or ESD were analyzed. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for the differences in the patient characteristics between the two groups. We analyzed the treatment outcomes, including the rates of en bloc/complete resection, procedure time, adverse event rate, hospital stay, and local or metastatic recurrence.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight pairs of patients were created. The characteristics of patients between the two groups were similar after matching. The EMR group had a significantly shorter procedure time and hospital stay than those of the ESD group [median procedure time (interquartile range): 6 (3-10.75) min vs 87.5 (68.5-136.5) min, P < 0.001, hospital stay: 8 (6-10.75) d vs 11 (8.25-14.75) d, P = 0.006]. Other outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups (en bloc resection rate: 82.1% vs 92.9%, P = 0.42; complete resection rate: 71.4% vs 89.3%, P = 0.18; and adverse event rate: 3.6% vs 17.9%, P = 0.19, local recurrence rate: 3.6% vs 0%, P = 1; metastatic recurrence rate: 0% in both). Only one patient in the ESD group underwent emergency surgery owing to intraoperative perforation.

CONCLUSION

EMR has significantly shorter procedure time and hospital stay than ESD, and provides acceptable curability and safety compared to ESD. Accordingly, EMR for SNADETs is associated with lower medical costs.

Current surgical treatment standards for esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer

A number of different surgical techniques for the treatment of cancer of the esophagus and the esophagogastric junction have been proposed. Guidelines generally recommend a transthoracic approach for esophageal cancer, including Siewert type I tumors. In tumors of the proximal esophageal third, transthoracic esophagectomy may be extended to a three-field approach, including resection of cervical lymph nodes. However, the choice between transthoracic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis (Ivor Lewis esophagectomy) and the three-incision approach with cervical esophago-gastrostomy (McKeown esophagectomy) remains controversial, with guidelines varying among different countries. Furthermore, it is commonly accepted that Siewert type III tumors should be treated by extended total gastrectomy with transhiatal resection of the lower esophagus, whereas currently no consensus exists regarding the optimal surgical approach for the treatment of Siewert type II adenocarcinoma. Likewise, there is a major controversy regarding palliative and potentially curative treatment modalities in oligometastatic disease. This review deals with current surgical treatment standards for cancer of the esophagus and the eosphagogastric junction, including discussion of ongoing trials.

The Current Evidence on Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Neoadjuvant therapy is recommended to improve survival, based on the results of several randomized trials and meta-analyses. However, controversy remains regarding how to combine surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Moreover, in East Asia, the predominant histological type is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, which has a different epidemiology and tumor biology from esophageal or gastroesophageal junctional adenocarcinoma. As such, the management of esophageal cancer in East Asia seems to be different from that in Western countries. Thus, this article reviews the current evidence on neoadjuvant therapy and considers the optimal combinations and ongoing strategies of multimodal therapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Endoscopic Resection for the Treatment of Superficial Esophageal Neoplasms

Superficial esophageal neoplasms (SENs) are being diagnosed increasingly frequently due to the screening endoscopy and advances in endoscopic techniques. Endoscopic resection (ER) is a relatively noninvasive treatment method with low morbidity and mortality that provides excellent oncologic outcomes. Endoscopic submucosal dissection is associated with higher rates of en bloc, complete and curative resections and lower rates of local recurrence than endoscopic mucosal resection. The most serious complication of ER is stricture, the treatment and prevention of which are crucial to maintain the patient’s quality of life. ER for SEN is feasible, effective, and safe and can be considered a first-line treatment for SENs in which it is technically feasible.

From Interconnection between Genes and Microenvironment to Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches in Upper Gastro-Intestinal Cancers-A Multidisciplinary Perspective

Despite the progress during the last decade, patients with advanced gastric and esophageal cancers still have poor prognosis. Finding optimal therapeutic strategies represents an unmet need in this field. Several prognostic and predictive factors have been evaluated and may guide clinicians in choosing a tailored treatment. Data from large studies investigating the role of immunotherapy in gastrointestinal cancers are promising but further investigations are necessary to better select those patients who can mostly benefit from these novel therapies. This review will focus on the treatment of metastatic esophageal and gastric cancer. We will review the standard of care and the role of novel therapies such as immunotherapies and CAR-T. Moreover, we will focus on the analysis of potential predictive biomarkers such as Modify as: Microsatellite Instability (MSI) and PD-L1, which may lead to treatment personalization and improved treatment outcomes. A multidisciplinary point of view is mandatory to generate an integrated approach to properly exploit these novel antiproliferative agents.

Geriatric nutritional risk index as a prognostic marker of pTNM-stage I and II esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after curative resection

The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is associated with mortality in several malignancies. We retrospectively analyzed whether the GNRI can predict long-term outcomes in 191 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after curative esophagectomies by evaluating their cancer-specific survival (CSS). In multivariate analyses, serum albumin (hazard ratio [HR], 2.498; p = 0.0043), GNRI (HR, 1.941; p = 0.0181), pathological tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) stage (HR, 3.884; p < 0.0001), and tumor differentiation (HR, 2.307; p = 0.0066) were independent prognostic factors for CSS.

In pTNM stage I, multivariate analysis identified C-reactive protein (HR, 7.172; p = 0.0483) and GNRI (HR, 5.579; p = 0.0291) as independent prognostic factors for CSS. In univariate analyses in pTNM stages II and III, only low GNRI (p = 0.0095) and low serum albumin levels (p = 0.0119), respectively, were significantly associated with worse CSS. In patients with low GNRI, CSS was significantly worse than in those with normal GNRI (p = 0.0011), especially in pTNM stages I (p = 0.0044) and II (p = 0.0036) groups, but not in stage III group (p = 0.5099).

Preoperative GNRI may sort patients into low- or high-risk groups for shorter CSS, especially in those with pTNM stage I and II ESCC.

Development of a predictive nomogram for cause-specific mortality in surgically resected early-stage oesophageal cancer: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) analysis

Background

The aim of this population-based study was to perform competing risk analysis and estimate cancer- and other cause-specific mortality in patients who underwent oesophagectomy with pT1N0M0 oesophageal cancer (EC). A competing risks nomogram was also developed to predict the proportional of death from each specific cause.

Methods

A total of 1,144 patients who received oesophagectomy for pT1N0M0 EC between 2010 and 2015 from SEER database were included. The cumulative incidence function was used to evaluate each cause of death, and the significant difference was assessed by the Grey’s test. A nomogram was established using the proportional subdistribution hazard analysis to identify predictors for each cause-specific death.

Results

The 5-year cumulative incidence of cancer-specific death for surgically resected pT1N0M0 EC was 15.7%, and the incidence was 11.2% for other cause-specific death. Age, tumour length, pT1 substage, grade, history and primary site were identified as predictive factors for EC-specific death, but only age, tumor length and pT1 substage were associated with death from other cause. Our nomograms showed a relative good discriminative ability, with c-index of 0.663 for the EC-specific mortality model and 0.699 for the other cause-specific mortality model. The calibration curves showed a good match between the nomogram-predicted probabilities and the actual probabilities.

Conclusions

In patients who underwent curative-intent resection for pT1N0M0 EC, death from other causes was an important competing event. During clinical decision making and patient-clinician communication, our quantifiable nomograms could provide a rapid and precise judgement of the risk of death from each cause.

Newly developed primary malignancies in long-term survivors who underwent curative esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

PURPOSE

We evaluated the efficacy of the long-term follow-up of patients who underwent radical esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to screen for recurrence and new primary malignancies.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected 448 ESCC patients who underwent radical esophagectomy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, computed tomography, a stool test and the assessment of the serum concentration of squamous cell carcinoma antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen were performed annually, even over 5 years after esophagectomy. The incidence of ESCC recurrence and new primary malignancies was investigated.

RESULTS

We enrolled 222 patients who survived at least 5 years after esophagectomy. A total of 104 new primary malignancies occurred in 82 patients (36.9%) after esophagectomy. Twenty-one malignancies were in the head and neck region, 14 in the residual esophagus, 13 in the prostate and 11 in the gastric tube and lung. Patients who developed new primary malignancies after esophagectomy had a significantly higher Brinkman index than those without new malignancies. An endoscopic approach successfully treated 92.9% of carcinomas in the residual esophagus, 90.9% of cancers in the gastric tube and 42.9% of carcinomas in the head and neck region.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of new primary malignancies was higher than the age-standardized incidence. Long-term follow-up and systemic screening may increase the probability of an early diagnosis and subsequent low-invasive treatment.

Nodal Downstaging of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy: Survival Analysis if ypN0 Is Achieved

BACKGROUND

It is known that ypN0 status after induction treatment can be divided into "natural" N0 (cN0/ypN0) and "downstaged" N0 (cN+/ypN0). Whether natural N0 patients and downstaged N0 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after neoadjvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) have similar prognosis is unknown.

METHODS

An institutional database was reviewed to identify ESCC patients after nCRT, whose CT scans were retrieved and reviewed to reclassify nodal status. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on node status: natural N0, downstaged N0, and ypN+. Impact of nodal status on survival and associations with survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified 110 patients, and 25 had natural N0 disease, 52 had downstaged N0 disease, and 33 had ypN+ disease. The 3-year OS was 76.7%, 79.5%, and 49% in natural N0, downstaged N0 and ypN+ group, respectively, and, correspondingly, the 3-year DFS was 77%, 73.9%, and 36.3%. In multivariable analysis, OS (P = 0.794) and DFS (P = 0.957) did not differ between natural N0 and downstaged N0 groups, but it was significantly shorter in ypN+ group (OS, P = 0.032; DFS, P = 0.021). In subgroups with "poor response" of primary tumor, the prognosis of natural N0 and downstaged N0 paitents was poor almost identical to ypN+ in both OS (P = 0.721; P = 0.252) and DFS (P = 0.694; P = 0.114).

CONCLUSIONS

The ypN0 status is an important hallmark demonstrating the effectiveness of nCRT for ESCC, regardless of cN status. Additionally, the survival of natural N0 and downstaged N0 patients with bad response at primary site may be poor, similar to ypN+ patients.

Controlling lymph node micrometastases by neoadjuvant chemotherapy affects the prognosis in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical significance of micrometastases after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and the difference in controlling micrometastases using different NAC regimens in resectable advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

We analyzed patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy with lymph node dissection after NAC with Adriamycin + cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil (ACF) or docetaxel + cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil (DCF). Micrometastasis was defined as a single isolated cancer cell or cluster of cancer cells on the cervical, recurrent nerve, or abdominal LNs as shown by immunohistochemical staining with anti-cytokeratin antibody (AE1/AE3). The associations between micrometastases, recurrence, prognosis, and regimen differences were investigated.

RESULTS

One hundred and one cases (ACF group: 51 cases; DCF group: 50 cases) were analyzed. Micrometastases occurred in 24 patients (23.8%): 17/51 (33.3%) in the ACF group and 7/50 (13.5%) in the DCF group (p = 0.0403). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates for patients without (n = 77) and with (n = 24) micrometastases were 62 and 32%, respectively, (hazard ratio, 2.158; 95% confidence interval, 1.170-3.980; stratified log-rank test, p = 0.0115). A multivariate analysis showed that stage pN1 or higher and micrometastases were significant risk factors affecting RFS.

CONCLUSION

In resectable advanced ESCC, controlling micrometastases in the LNs after NAC varied by regimen and may be associated with preventing ESCC recurrence.

Esophageal cancer: challenges, concerns, and recommendations for management amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Since December 2019, the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, raising great concern, particularly in immunosuppressed cancer patients. The pandemic situation remains extremely dynamic, which necessitates proactive management decisions from oncologists and oncologic surgeons in effort to mitigate the risk of both SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer metastasis. Esophageal cancer, in particular, is one of the deadliest types of malignancy worldwide, reflecting both aggressive biology and a lack of adequate treatment. Several challenges and concerns regarding the management of esophageal cancer have been raised in light of the ongoing viral pandemic. The primary aim of this review is to summarize the salient evidence for recommendations and optimal treatment strategies for patients with esophageal cancer amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Downstaging and Histological Effects Might Be Reliable Predictors of the Efficacy of DOC+CDDP+5-FU (DCF) as Neoadjuvant Therapy for Stage III or Borderline Resectable Esophageal Cancer: a Single Institute Experience

PURPOSE

In Japan, two courses of CDDP+5-FU (CF) therapy followed by surgery are accepted as a standard treatment for stage II/III esophageal cancer (EC) based on the results of the JCOG9907 trial. To gain a better survival, benefit especially for stage III patients in comparison with CF therapy, a three-arm phase III trial (neoadjuvant setting: CF vs. CF + radiation vs. DOC+CF [DCF]) is ongoing. We have aggressively performed DCF therapy for stage III or IV patients since October 2014. We herein review the outcomes of DCF therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 27 patients with stage III or IV EC (male, n = 24; female, n = 3; median age, 70.0 years) who received DCF therapy.

RESULTS

The response rate was 48.1%. Downstaging was achieved over the course of treatment in 14 patients (51.9%). Twenty-six patients transitioned to surgery, with 25 receiving R0 resection. DCF-treated patients who achieved downstaging showed significantly longer relapse-free survival (RFS) than those without downstaging (p = 0.0002). DCF-treated patients with a grade ≥ 1b histological effect showed significantly longer RFS than those with a grade < 1b effect (p = 0.0282). The multivariate analysis showed that downstaging was the only factor significantly associated with RFS in DCF-treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

DCF therapy for stage ≥ III esophageal carcinoma is both feasible and effective. These findings suggest that downstaging and the histological effect might predict the effects of DCF therapy for EC.

Clinical Significance of Pretherapeutic Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen Level in Patients with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) is a tumor marker widely used to estimate the progression of esophageal SCC (ESCC), only a few studies have focused on the relationship between serum SCC-Ag levels and the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to elucidate the clinical significance of pretherapeutic serum SCC-Ag levels in patients who underwent NAC followed by esophagectomy.

METHODS

Data of 453 patients who underwent NAC followed by esophagectomy were collected from the esophageal cancer database of two high-volume Japanese centers. Serum SCC-Ag levels were measured prior to NAC, and the pathological therapeutic effect of NAC and patient survival were evaluated. Patients were classified according to the tertiles of the serum SCC-Ag value (low, middle, and high groups), and the outcomes among the groups were compared.

RESULTS

The levels of serum SCC-Ag were significantly associated with tumor stage (p < 0.01). With regard to the pathological therapeutic effect, the levels of serum SCC-Ag were negatively correlated with the therapeutic effect (p = 0.02). Moreover, increased levels of serum SCC-Ag negatively influenced relapse-free survival (p < 0.01). Multivariate analyses revealed the 'high' group as the independent factor for both the unfavorable therapeutic effect (p = 0.01) and the increased risk of disease recurrence (p < 0.01) when compared with the 'low' group.

CONCLUSION

Elevated levels of pretherapeutic serum SCC-Ag are significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, poor response to NAC, and increased risk of disease recurrence.