Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: a single-center experience

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Gastric Epithelial Neoplasms after Partial Gastrectomy: A Single-Center Experience

Aims

To investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastric epithelial neoplasms in the remnant stomach (GEN-RS) after various types of partial gastrectomy.

Methods

This study included 29 patients (31 lesions) who underwent ESD for GEN-RS between March 2006 and August 2016. Clinicopathologic data were retrieved retrospectively to assess the therapeutic ESD outcomes, including en bloc and complete resection rates and procedure-related adverse events.

Results

The en bloc, complete, and curative resection rates were 90%, 77%, and 71%, respectively. The types of previous gastrectomy, tumor size, macroscopic type, and tumor histology were not associated with incomplete resection. Only tumors involving the suture lines from the prior partial gastrectomy were significantly associated with incomplete resection. The procedure-related bleeding and perforation rates were 6% and 3%, respectively; none of the adverse events required surgical intervention. During a median follow-up period of 25 months (range, 6–58 months), there was no recurrence in any case.

Conclusions

ESD is a safe and feasible treatment for GEN-RS regardless of the previous gastrectomy type. However, the complete resection rate decreases for lesions involving the suture lines.

Risk Factors for Metachronous Recurrence after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Early Gastric Cancer

Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely accepted as a curative treatment method for early gastric cancer (EGC) worldwide, metachronous recurrence often occurs after ESD for EGC. However, there are insufficient data about the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and other risk factors for recurrence. We aimed to compare the metachronous lesion in the H. pylori persistent group and the eradicated group, and to identify risk factors for metachronous lesion. We retrospectively analyzed 782 patients who underwent ESD between January 2008 and December 2013. We excluded patients with dysplasia or patients who were not tested for H. pylori infection. One hundred eighty-five patients were enrolled. We studied risk factors for recurrence, and used survival analysis to test. There were 24 patients with metachronous recurrence after ESD for EGC among the group. The incidence of metachronous gastric lesions after ESD for EGC developed more in the over 70-year-old group (P = 0.025) and more in the H. pylori persistent group (P = 0.008). In conclusion, H. pylori infection and old age are independent risk factors for metachronous gastric lesions after ESD in EGC.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancers with Uncommon Histology

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) enables en bloc curative resection of early gastric cancers (EGCs) with a negligible risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Although ESD for EGCs with absolute and expanded indications is safe, the results differ between EGCs with specialized and common histologies. EGC with papillary adenocarcinoma is a differentiated-type adenocarcinoma. At present, it is treated with ESD according to the same criteria as other differentiated-type adenocarcinomas. The LNM rate under the current indication criteria is high, and over half of the patients who undergo ESD as a primary treatment for EGC with papillary adenocarcinoma achieve an out-of-ESD result. Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma in EGC has a low LNM rate and a favorable outcome, despite deep submucosal invasion. Patients with this gastric cancer subtype may be good candidates for ESD, even with deep submucosal invasion. Large-scale prospective multi-center studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to set proper ESD criteria for these tumors. Clinicians should be aware of these disease entities and ESD should be more carefully considered for EGCs with papillary adenocarcinoma and gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma.

Therapeutic Decision-Making Using Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Endoscopic Treatment of Early Gastric Cancer

Background/Aims

We evaluated the effectiveness of an endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-based treatment plan compared to an endoscopy-based treatment plan in selecting candidates with early gastric cancer (EGC) for endoscopic submucosal dissection based on the prediction of invasion depth.

Methods

We reviewed 393 EGCs with differentiated histology from 380 patients who underwent EUS from July 2007 to April 2010. The effectiveness of the EUS-based and endoscopy-based plans was evaluated using a simplified hypothetical treatment algorithm.

Results

The numbers of endoscopically determined mucosal, indeterminate, and submucosal cancers were 253 (64.4%), 56 (14.2%), and 84 (21.4%), respectively. Overall, the appropriate treatment selection rates were 75.3% (296/393) in the endoscopy-based plan and 71.5% (281/393) in the EUS-based plan (p=0.184). For endoscopic mucosal cancers, the appropriate treatment selection rates in the endoscopy-based plan were 88.1% (223/253), while the use of an EUS-based plan significantly decreased this rate to 81.4% (206/253) (p=0.036). For endoscopic submucosal cancers, the appropriate selection rates did not differ between the endoscopy-based plan (46.4%, 39/84) and the EUS-based plan (53.6%, 45/84) (p=0.070).

Conclusions

EUS did not increase the likelihood of selecting the appropriate treatment in differentiated-type EGC. Therefore, EUS may not be necessary before treating differentiated-type EGC, especially in endoscopically presumed mucosal cancers.

Characteristics of Missed Simultaneous Gastric Lesions Based on Double-Check Analysis of the Endoscopic Image

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The detection of multifocal lesions is important for the successful management of gastric neoplasms. We investigated the characteristics of missed simultaneous lesions and the reason for the missed diagnoses.

METHODS

A total of 140 patients who underwent repeat endoscopy before endoscopic resection between June 2013 and June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. We classified simultaneous lesions into three groups based on a review of earlier images: group 1, no images of the location of simultaneous lesions were taken; group 2, no corresponding lesion was evident in the previous images; and group 3, simultaneous lesions were visible in the earlier images but a biopsy was not performed.

RESULTS

Simultaneous lesions were found in 12 patients (8.6%) with 13 lesions, comprising 10 dysplasia (76.9%) and three adenocarcinoma (23.1%). Regarding the reasons for missed diagnoses, seven lesions (53.8%) were classified as group 3, five (38.5%) as group 1, and the remaining lesion (7.7%) as group 2. There were no significant differences in the characteristics of the patients with and without simultaneous lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Lesions disregarded or unnoticed during endoscopic examination were the main reason for missed diagnosis of simultaneous lesions. Endoscopists should consider the possibility of simultaneous lesions and attempt to meticulously evaluate the entire gastric mucosa.

Should antithrombotic therapy be stopped in patients undergoing gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection?

BACKGROUND

The management of antithrombotic therapy in the patients undergoing gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is of concern. This study aimed to assess delayed bleeding rate after gastric ESD in the patients receiving antithrombotic therapy.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective observational study held in a single institute. The patients undergoing gastric ESD from January 2009 to October 2014 were reviewed. Delayed bleeding rate in the patients receiving antithrombotic therapy was compared with that in matched controls. We also compared delayed bleeding rate in the patients continuing antithrombotic therapy with that in the patients with heparin bridging or cessation of antithrombotic therapy. Among 2388 lesions resected by gastric ESD, 367 lesions were resected in the patients with antithrombotic therapy, and 722 lesions were selected as controls. The lesions in the patients receiving antithrombotic therapy were divided into three subgroups: 54 lesions without preoperative cessation (continuation group), 37 lesions with heparin bridging (heparin group), and 276 lesions with cessation of antithrombotic therapy (cessation group).

RESULTS

The incidence of delayed bleeding was significantly higher in the patients receiving antithrombotic therapy (9.5 % [35/367] vs. 4.2 % [30/722]; p < 0.01). Delayed bleeding rate in continuation group, heparin group, and cessation group was 9.2 % (5/54), 10.8 % (4/37), and 9.4 % (26/276), respectively, and no significant difference was observed. Thrombosis occurred only in cessation group (1.6 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed bleeding rate associated with gastric ESD is significantly higher in the patients receiving antithrombotic therapy. No significant difference in delayed bleeding rate was observed among patients with and without cessation of antithrombotic therapy. To prevent thrombosis, gastric ESD without cessation may be feasible.

Early Gastric Cancers: Is CT Surveillance Necessary after Curative Endoscopic Submucosal Resection for Cancers That Meet the Expanded Criteria?

Purpose To determine the yield of follow-up abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) in detecting extragastric recurrence after curative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancers (EGCs) that meet the expanded criteria. Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study, and the requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. Patients who underwent curative ESD for EGCs that met the expanded criteria between November 2005 and December 2009 and who underwent post-ESD CT and endoscopy were included. The final cohort comprised 415 EGCs in 404 patients (261 EGCs in 251 patients met the conventional criteria, and 154 EGCs in 153 patients met the expanded criteria). The primary outcome was post-ESD CT discovery of extragastric recurrence (ie, lymph node or distant metastasis) not detected with endoscopy. The mean radiation dose from each CT examination was calculated. The incidence of gastric recurrence detected with endoscopy and/or CT was also analyzed. The cumulative incidence of gastric recurrence during the post-ESD follow-up period was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results From a total of 2182 post-ESD CT examinations, extragastric recurrence (lymph node metastasis) was detected in only two patients (one with EGC that met conventional criteria and one with EGC that met expanded criteria). The mean (±standard deviation) volume CT dose index, dose-length product, and size-specific dose estimate per CT examination was 28.95 mGy ± 8.44, 876.80 mGy · cm ± 161.86, and 43.78 mGy ± 11.54, respectively. From a total of 3262 post-ESD endoscopic examinations, 41 gastric recurrences were detected (11 local recurrences and five synchronous and 25 metachronous gastric cancers). Among them, eight gastric recurrences were also detected with CT. The cumulative incidences of gastric recurrence 1, 3, and 5 years after ESD were 1.7% (two of 404 patients), 3.2% (13 of 404 patients), and 7.4% (30 of 404 patients), respectively. Conclusion When EGC meets the expanded criteria, surveillance CT after curative ESD rarely depicts extragastric recurrence during 5-year post-ESD follow-up. ^© RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Comparison of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Surgery for Differentiated Type Early Gastric Cancer within the Expanded Criteria

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a novel alternative treatment for differentiated early gastric cancer (EGC) without lymph node metastasis. We conducted this study to verify the therapeutic usefulness of ESD for treating differentiated EGC compared to that of surgery.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of 382 patients treated with differentiated EGC from March 2006 to May 2010. The propensity score yielded 275 matched patients. They were divided into an ESD group of 175 people and a gastrectomy group of 100 people. The patient demographics, pathologic characteristics, length of hospital stay, complication rate and survival rate were compared.

RESULTS

The complication rate was higher for the gastrectomy group than for the ESD group (15.0% vs. 5.1%, p=0.007). The average length of patient hospitalization was longer after gastrectomy than after ESD (8.6 days vs. 2.4 days, p<0.001). There were two cases of mortality in the surgery group within 30 days of procedure. The 5-year survival rates of the two groups did not show a statistically significant difference (92.0% vs. 93.3%, p=0.496).

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term survival rates of ESD and gastrectomy were not significantly different. The complication rate was lower for ESD than for gastrectomy, and the length of hospital stay was shorter after ESD than after gastrectomy.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection

ESD is an established effective treatment modality for premalignant and early-stage malignant lesions of the stomach, esophagus, and colorectum. Compared with EMR, ESD is generally associated with higher rates of en bloc, R0, and curative resections and a lower rate of local recurrence. Oncologic outcomes with ESD compare favorably with competing surgical interventions, and ESD also serves as an excellent T-staging tool to identify noncurative resections that will require further treatment. ESD is technically demanding and has a higher rate of adverse events than most endoscopic procedures including EMR. As such,sufficient training is critical to ensure safe conduct and high-quality resections. A standardized training model for Western endoscopists has not been clearly established,but will be self-directed and include courses, animal model training, and optimally an observership at an expert center.Numerous dedicated ESD devices are now available in the United States from different manufacturers. Although the use of ESD in the United States is increasing, issues related to technical difficulty, limited training opportunities and mentors, risk of adverse events, long procedure duration,and suboptimal reimbursement may limit ESD adoption in the United States to a modest number of academic referral centers for the foreseeable future.

Early Gastric Cancer: Current Advances of Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment

Endoscopy is a major method for early gastric cancer screening because of its high detection rate, but its diagnostic accuracy depends heavily on the availability of endoscopic instruments. Many novel endoscopic techniques have been shown to increase the diagnostic yield of early gastric cancer. With the improved detection rate of EGC, the endoscopic treatment has become widespread due to advances in the instruments available and endoscopist's experience. The aim of this review is to summarize frequently-used endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in early gastric cancer (EGC).

Increase in Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgery Regarding the Therapeutic Approach of Gastric Cancer Detected by Cancer Screening in Saga Prefecture, Japan

Objective Despite recent advances in endoscopic treatment and laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancers, an increase in the uptake of these therapeutic approaches has not yet been fully demonstrated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the change in therapeutic approaches regarding the treatment of gastric cancers detected by cancer screening in Saga Prefecture, Japan between April 2002 and March 2011. Methods Gastric cancer screening by X-ray was performed on 311,074 subjects between April 2002 and March 2011. In total, 534 patients were thereafter diagnosed with gastric cancer. Eighteen subjects were excluded because precise details of their treatment were not available. To evaluate the changes in the therapeutic approach, the observation period was divided into three 3-year intervals: Period I: April 2002 to March 2005; Period II: April 2005 to March 2008; Period III: April 2008 to March 2011. Results The use of open laparotomy for the treatment of gastric cancer decreased, and laparoscopic surgery and endoscopic treatment increased markedly in a time-dependent manner. A 2.5-fold increase in endoscopic treatment, and a 18.4-fold increase in laparoscopic surgery were observed in Period III compared with Period I (after adjusting for age and tumor characteristics). Conclusion Endoscopic treatment and laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer increased during the investigation period (2002-2011), although the tumor characteristics of the gastric cancers detected through cancer screening in Saga Prefecture, Japan did not show any changes.

Effect of additional surgery after noncurative endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a standard treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC) without lymph node metastasis. However, some patients undergo noncurative ESD. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term clinical outcomes of noncurative ESD with or without additional surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We investigated the chart data from all patients who had undergone ESD for EGC at Saga Medical School Hospital and Saga Prefectural Medical Centre Koseikan between 2001 and 2012. A total of 957 cases (1047 lesions) of EGC underwent ESD, and 99 had noncurative ESD. In total, 20 cases were excluded because their follow-up period was < 3 years. We divided the patients into observation and additional surgery groups, and we compared the survival rate and related factors between the groups.

RESULTS

After noncurative ESD, 28 /79 patients (35.4 %) underwent additional surgery and 51/79 (64.6 %) were followed up without surgery. The average age of patients in the observation group was higher than that of the additional surgery group (75.9 vs. 71.6 years; P = 0.03). The incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in the observation group compared with the additional surgery group (51.0 vs. 25.9 %; P = 0.03). The overall survival rate of the additional surgery group was longer than that of the observation group. However, only one patient died from gastric cancer in the observation group. The disease-specific survival rate did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It might be acceptable to follow up without additional surgery for some patients with comorbidity and who were elderly after noncurative ESD for EGC.

Helicobacter pylori Eradication Reduces the Metachronous Recurrence of Gastric Neoplasms by Attenuating the Precancerous Process

PURPOSE

The importance of Helicobacter pylori eradication after endoscopic resection (ER) of gastric neoplasms remains controversial. In this study, we clarified the importance of H. pylori eradication for metachronous lesions after ER.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 3,882 patients with gastric neoplasms who underwent ER. We included patients infected with H. pylori who received eradication therapy. Among them, 34 patients with metachronous lesions after ER and 102 age- and sex-matched patients (nonmetachronous group) were enrolled. Background mucosal pathologies such as atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) were evaluated endoscopically. The expression levels of CDX1, CDX2, Sonic hedgehog (SHH), and SOX2 were evaluated based on H. pylori eradication and the development of metachronous lesions.

RESULTS

The eradication failure rate was higher in the metachronous group than in the nonmetachronous group (P=0.036). Open-type atrophy (P=0.003) and moderate-to-severe IM (P=0.001) occurred more frequently in the metachronous group. In patients with an initial diagnosis of dysplasia, the eradication failure rate was higher in the metachronous group than in the nonmetachronous group (P=0.002). In addition, open-type atrophy was more frequent in the metachronous group (P=0.047). In patients with an initial diagnosis of carcinoma, moderate-to-severe IM occurred more frequently in the metachronous group (P=0.003); however, the eradication failure rate was not significantly different between the two groups. SHH and SOX2 expression was increased, and CDX2 expression was decreased in the nonmetachronous group after eradication (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Open-type atrophy, moderate-to-severe IM, and H. pylori eradication failure were significantly associated with metachronous lesions. However, eradication failure was significantly associated with dysplasia, but not carcinoma, in the metachronous group. Thus, H. pylori eradication may play an important role in preventing metachronous lesions after ER for precancerous lesions before carcinomatous transformation.

A comparison of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and radical surgery for early gastric cancer: a retrospective study

Background

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become one of the mainstays of treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC). Radical surgery is also a classical treatment method for EGC. There have been no systematic clinical studies of the curative effects and adverse events associated with ESD vs. radical surgery for EGC. This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of ESD and radical surgery for EGC.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with EGC underwent ESD, and 59 underwent radical surgery at Weihai Municipal Hospital. The pathological characteristics, postoperative outcomes, hospital course, morbidity and mortality were retrospectively compared between the two groups.

Results

The oncological clearance was 93.1 % (27/29) in the ESD group. Postoperative delayed haemorrhage occurred in two patients. The hospital stay ranged from 10 to 23 days, and the average stay was 14.3 ± 3.7 days. The patients were followed-up for 1 to 5 years, with a mean follow-up of 26.9 ± 8.5 months. Regular endoscopic examinations showed that the wound had healed with no cancer recurrence in all of the patients. In the radical surgery group, the oncological clearance was 100 % (59/59). The hospital stay ranged from 11 to 55 days, and the average stay was 21.7 ± 9.3 days. The patients were followed-up for 1 to 3.7 years, with a mean follow-up of 22.3 ± 9.4 months. Nine patients developed complications, including acute postoperative adhesive ileus (1/59) and symptomatic residual gastritis (3/59). These complications were improved by an additional operation, drainage, gastrointestinal decompression and comprehensive therapy.

Conclusions

ESD achieved similar efficacy and had many advantages compared with radical surgery for the treatment of EGC.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer in elderly patients: a meta-analysis

Background

The effectiveness of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been increasingly reported. However, studies addressing the safety and application value of ESD in elderly patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) were still lacking. This meta-analysis was intended to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ESD in elderly patients with EGC.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Studies were screened out if data of elderly and non-elderly gastric cancer patients were reported separately. The qualities of included studies were assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The pooled odd ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Review Manager 5.2 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK).

Results

Nine studies (eight in Japan, one in China), including a total of 30,100 lesions, met the inclusion criteria. The “en bloc” and histological complete resection rates of the elderly and non-elderly groups were similar [OR, 0.98, 95 % CI, 0.56 to 1.71; P = 0.93 and OR, 0.79, 95 % CI, 0.58 to 1.07; P = 0.13, respectively]. As for procedure-related complications, similar perforation rates [OR, 1.19, 95 % CI, 0.94 to 1.51; P = 0.15], and bleeding rates [OR, 1.13, 95 % CI, 0.83 to 1.56); P = 0.43] between the elderly and non-elderly groups were observed. Whereas, the elderly patients had a higher procedure-related pneumonia rate compared with non-elderly ones [OR, 2.18, 95 % CI, 1.55 to 3.08; P < 0.01].

Conclusions

The ESD procedure appears to be a safe technique in elderly patients with EGC while appropriate approach should be taken to avoid procedure-related pneumonia.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Subepithelial Tumors: A Single-Center Experience

Background and Aims. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been accepted as a treatment modality for gastrointestinal epithelial tumors. Recently, ESD has been applied to resect subepithelial tumors (SETs) in the gastrointestinal tract, but clinical evidence on its efficacy and safety is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of ESD for gastric SETs and to assess possible predictive factors for incomplete resection. Patients and Methods. Between January 2006 and December 2013, a total of 49 patients with gastric SET underwent ESD at our hospital. Clinicopathologic characteristics of patients and SETs, therapeutic outcomes, complications, and follow-up outcomes were evaluated. Results. The overall rates of en bloc resection and complete resection were 88% (43/49) and 84% (43/49), respectively. Complete resection rates in tumors originating from the submucosal layer were significantly higher than those in tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer (90% versus 56%, P = 0.028). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, tumor location (upper third: odds ratio [OR] 12.639, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.087–146.996, P = 0.043) and layer of tumor origin (muscularis propria: OR 8.174, 95% CI 1.059–63.091, P = 0.044) were independently associated with incomplete resection. Procedure-related bleeding and perforation rates were both 4%. No recurrence was observed in patients with complete resection at a median follow-up period of 29 months (range: 7–83 months). Conclusions. ESD is an effective, safe, and feasible treatment for gastric SETs. The frequency of incomplete resection increases in tumors located in the upper third of the stomach and in those originating from the muscularis propria layer.

Factors Associated With Outcomes in Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Gastric Cardia Tumors: A Retrospective Observational Study

Tumors of the gastric cardia are among the most technically difficult lesions to remove by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of ESD in gastric cardia tumors according to clinicopathologic characteristics, and to assess the predictive factors for incomplete resection.We conducted a retrospective observational study of 82 patients with adenomas and early cancers of the gastric cardia who underwent ESD between January 2006 and December 2013 at the Pusan National University Hospital. Therapeutic outcomes of ESD and procedure-related complications were analyzed.En bloc resection, complete resection, and curative resection rates were 87%, 79%, and 66%, respectively. Deep submucosal invasion was the most common cause of noncurative resection in the cases in which complete resection was achieved. On multivariate analyses, hemispheric distribution (anterior hemisphere; odds ratio [OR] 4.808) and depth of tumor invasion (submucosal cancer; OR 22.056) were independent factors associated with incomplete resection. The rates of procedure-related bleeding, perforation, and stenosis were 6%, 1%, and 0%, respectively; none of the complications required surgical intervention.In conclusion, ESD is a safe, effective, and feasible treatment for gastric cardia tumors. However, the complete resection rate decreases for tumors that are located in the anterior hemisphere or have deep submucosal invasion.

Endoscopic and oncologic outcomes according to indication criteria of endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The criteria for endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer (EGC) have been expanded recently, and it has become acceptable to use techniques that are regarded as having equivalent technical and pathological outcomes to absolute indication (AI). However, the long-term oncological outcomes of expanded indication (EI) have yet to be clarified. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the long-term outcome of EI versus AI, to identify the endoscopic feasibility and safety according to the indication, and to provide the appropriate recommendations for each indication.

METHODS

Electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and KoreaMed were searched for articles published between January 2000 and October 2014. After screening, the reviewers extracted the information from 12 retrospective cohort studies. A total of 9635 EGC lesions, 4150 lesions in the EI group and 5485 lesions in the AI group, were included in this study.

RESULTS

Meta-analyses showed that the local recurrence rate [risk ratio (RR) 1.34; 95% CI 0.67-2.70] was not significantly higher in the EI group compared with the AI group, although the metachronous recurrence rate was higher in the EI group than in the AI group (RR 1.60; 95% CI 1.22-2.10). The rates of en bloc resection [odds ratio (OR) 0.57; 95% CI 0.41-0.78), complete resection (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.25-0.57), and curative resection (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.20-0.58) were significantly inferior in the EI group than in the AI group, whereas overall bleeding risk (RR 1.47; 95% CI 1.19-1.82) and procedure-related perforation rate (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.56-2.68) were significantly higher in the EI group than in the AI group.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that the EI group showed acceptable long-term outcomes with local recurrence rate that was not significantly inferior, although the metachronous recurrence rate was higher compared with that in the AI group.

Clinical outcomes of no residual disease in the specimen after endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasms

BACKGROUND

No residual disease (NRD) can be found in the specimen after endoscopic resection (ER) of biopsy-proven gastric neoplasm. This study aimed to evaluate the endoscopic and pathologic characteristics of patients with NRD and identify the cause and long-term prognosis.

METHODS

Medical records of patients who underwent ER for biopsy-proven gastric neoplasms at a single tertiary hospital between January 2005 and November 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients whose post-ER histology was revealed as NRD were included. Overall incidence, clinicopathologic characteristics, cause, and long-term prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

NRD was detected in 143 (3.2%) of 4401 cases of gastric neoplasms treated with ER. Mean endoscopic size of the initial lesion was 8.15 ± 6.64 mm; in 93 cases (65.0%), the lesion was located in the lower third of the stomach. Initial pathologic diagnosis was as follows: adenoma (n = 110), carcinoma (n = 29), and atypical gland (n = 4). The causes of NRD were minute lesions removed by biopsy in 140 patients, pathologic misdiagnoses in two, and localization error in one. Local recurrence was detected in five patients (3.6%) with minute lesions during follow-up and treated with argon plasma coagulation (n = 4) or re-ER (n = 1). Synchronous (n = 5, 3.6%) and metachronous gastric lesions (n = 6, 4.3%) were also detected during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The main cause of NRD was minute lesions which might be completely removed by initial diagnostic biopsy. These cases showed a minimal rate of local recurrence and synchronous or metachronous gastric neoplasms. Careful follow-up is also mandatory for detection of residual disease.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer with undifferentiated-type histology: A meta-analysis

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) with undifferentiated-type histology.

METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted using the core databases. Complete resection, curative resection, en bloc resection, recurrence and adverse event rate were extracted and analyzed. A random effect model was applied. The methodological quality of the enrolled studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot, the trim and fill method, Egger’s test, and a rank correlation test.

RESULTS: Fourteen retrospective studies between 2009 and 2014 were identified (972 EGC lesions with undifferentiated-type histology). The total en bloc and complete resection rates were estimated as 92.1% (95%CI: 87.4%-95.2%) and 77.5% (95%CI: 69.3%-84%), respectively. The total curative resection rate was 61.4% (95%CI: 44.5%-75.9%). The overall recurrence rate was 7.6% (95%CI: 3.4%-16%). Limited to histologically diagnosed expanded-criteria lesions, the en bloc and complete resection rates were 91.2% and 85.6%, respectively. The curative resection rate was 79.8%.

CONCLUSION: In this analysis, ESD is a technically feasible treatment modality for EGC with undifferentiated-type histology. Long-term studies are needed to confirm these therapeutic outcomes.

Is endoscopic submucosal dissection safe for papillary adenocarcinoma of the stomach?

AIM: To identify the clinicopathological predictors of lymph node (LN) metastasis and evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in papillary adenocarcinoma-type early gastric cancers (EGCs).

METHODS: From January 2005 to May 2013, 49 patients who underwent surgical operation and 24 patients who underwent ESD for papillary adenocarcinoma-type EGC were enrolled to identify clinicopathological characteristics and predictive factors of LN metastasis and to evaluate the outcomes of ESD for papillary adenocarcinoma-type EGC.

RESULTS: Most papillary adenocarcinoma-type EGCs were located in the lower third of the stomach and had an elevated macroscopic shape. The overall prevalence of LN metastasis was 18.3% (9/49). The presence of lymphovascular invasion was found to be a predictor of LN metastasis (P = 0.016). According to current indication criteria of ESD, 6 and 11 of the 49 patients had absolute and expanded indications for ESD, respectively. Two patients (11.8%) with expanded indication for ESD had LN metastasis. Of the 24 patients who underwent ESD, 13 (54%) achieved out-of-ESD indication, with 9 of those 13 patients undergoing surgical operation due to non-curative resection.

CONCLUSION: The use of ESD should be carefully considered for papillary adenocarcinoma-type EGC with suspected ESD indication after pre-treatment work-up because of the higher frequency of LN metastasis and additional surgeries.

Outcomes of patients with early gastric cancer who underwent double endoscopic intraluminal surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been used to treat patients with nonulcerated early gastric cancers of 2  cm or less, because the incidence of lymph node metastasis is negligible. However, the standard ESD procedure is long, complex, and associated with high complication rates. To overcome these limitations, we devised a double endoscopic intraluminal operation (DEILO) and assessed its efficacy and safety for superficial gastric neoplasms in a preliminary prospective study.

METHODS

The DEILO procedure was performed on 101 patients with gastric cancers. Two endoscopes were simultaneously inserted into the stomach. One endoscope was used to lift the lesion, and the other was used to excise the lesion.

RESULTS

The DEILO technique was performed successfully, and en bloc resection was achieved for 98 (97.0%) of 101 patients. Histologically curative resection was achieved for 85 lesions (84.2%). The mean operating time was 70 min (range 20-178 min). Perforation occurred in four patients (4.0%), all of whom were successfully treated nonsurgically. Three patients developed postoperative hemorrhage, which was controlled endoscopically.

CONCLUSION

The DEILO procedure appears to shorten the operating time for ESD, with efficacy and complication rates comparable with the standard procedure.

Suitability of the expanded indication criteria for the treatment of early gastric cancer by endoscopic submucosal dissection: Japanese multicenter large-scale retrospective analysis of short- and long-term outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The criteria for endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer include absolute and expanded indications. Consensus already exists for the absolute indications. However, the suitability of the expanded indications must be validated by long-term outcome analyses since such lesions have only recently become resectable with the development of endoscopic submucosal dissection. The aim of this study is to clarify the suitability of the expanded indications for the treatment of early gastric cancer with endoscopic submucosal dissection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 1161 patients with early gastric cancers (1332 lesions) treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection and meeting the criteria for absolute or expanded indications without additional treatment with gastrectomy were divided into absolute indication group or expanded indication group.

RESULTS

Complete resection rates were 96.4% and 93.4% in absolute and expanded indication groups, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. Delayed bleeding rates were significantly higher in the expanded indication group, whereas all cases were successfully managed conservatively. The 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free rates were 93.7%/99.77% and 90.49%/98.90% in the absolute and the expanded indication groups, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups for either measure. Multivariate analyses revealed that affected horizontal margin and tumor location were independent predictive factors for recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The expanded indication group showed excellent post-endoscopic submucosal dissection short-term and long-term outcomes compared with the absolute indications group, demonstrating that expanded indications are suitable for endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer.

Outcome of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer of conventional and expanded indications: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Current guidelines for treating early gastric cancer (EGC) with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are being developed with broader criteria. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the application of expanded indications (EIN) by comparing outcomes between conventional indication (CIN) and EIN groups.

METHODS

Literature databases were searched. Short-term outcomes, including endoscopic resection rates, complications and local recurrence, and long-term outcomes including gastric cancer-specific mortality and overall mortality were compared in the two groups.

RESULTS

In all, 13 studies were identified and evaluated. The EIN group had lower rates of en bloc (93.6% vs 97.0%, P < 0.0001), complete (87.8% vs 95.8%, P < 0.00001) and curative resection (82.4% vs 94.0%, P < 0.00001) than the CIN group. The rates of delayed bleeding and perforation were both significantly higher in the EIN group (3.9% vs 2.8%, P = 0.04 and 3.9% vs 1.8%, P < 0.0001). Local recurrence rates were 0.6% in the CIN group and 1.5% in the EIN group (P = 0.03). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the gastric-cancer specific mortality (P = 0.22) and the overall mortality (P = 0.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term mortality in the EIN group did not significantly differ from those in the CIN group, although the EIN group was associated with more unfavorable short-term outcomes. Thus, ESD could be recommended as an effective therapy for EGC of EIN.

Preventing metachronous gastric lesions after endoscopic submucosal dissection through Helicobacter pylori eradication

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Metachronous recurrence often occurs after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer, and a method for preventing recurrence is unknown. We aimed to identify risk factors for metachronous lesions, and the effects of aspirin use and Helicobacter pylori eradication on preventing recurrence.

METHODS

A total of 1041 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer between January 2007 and December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Every patient was examined endoscopically at 2, 6, and 12 months after endoscopic submucosal dissection, and then annually. Patients were classified into the metachronous group or non-metachronous group according to the existence of metachronous lesions and subdivided by Helicobacter pylori status into three groups: not infected, eradicated after infection, and not eradicated.

RESULTS

At 39 months' median follow-up, metachronous gastric lesions had developed in 35 patients (3.4%), including 16 with dysplasia and 19 cancers. Metachronous group were significantly older than non-metachronous group (P = 0.02). Although non-metachronous group took aspirin more frequently than metachronous group (15.5% vs 5.7%), the difference was statistically insignificant (P = 0.11). In the not eradicated group, the odds ratio of metachronous lesion was 7.762 compared with the not infected group (95% confidence interval, 1.483-60.854; P = 0.02). In the eradicated group, the odd ratio of metachronous lesion was 8.120 compared with not infected group (95% confidence interval, 1.950-58.985; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Helicobacter pylori infection was an independent risk factor for metachronous gastric lesions. However, eradication of Helicobacter pylori alone does not prevent all metachronous lesions in an inflamed stomach.

Risk factors for local recurrence in patients with positive lateral resection margins after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

With the widespread use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC), the number of cases with incomplete resection due to positive lateral resection margins (LM+) is increasing. Local recurrence, which occurs frequently in LM+ cases, is an important issue. This study aimed to clarify the clinicopathological factors related to tumor recurrence in LM+ cases after ESD for EGC.

METHODS

From January 2005 to December 2012, a total of 1,083 patients with EGC underwent ESD at our hospital. Of these, cases with a pathological diagnosis of LM+ were included in this study. Patients with positive vertical resection margins, those who underwent surgical resection immediately or were followed up for less than 6 months after ESD, were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 55 LM+ cases after ESD for EGC were enrolled. Incorrect delineation of a lesion that extended pathologically beyond the ESD marking dots was the main cause of LM+. Local recurrence was found in 20 (36.4 %) patients (median follow-up period, 23 months). Local recurrence rates related to LM+ length were as follows: 7/29 (24.1 %) in 2 mm, 6/16 (37.5 %) in 4 mm, 1/3 (33.3 %) in 6 mm, 4/5 (80 %) in 8 mm, and 2/2 (100 %) in ≥ 10 mm. In multivariate analysis, tumor size > 2 cm (OR 4.48, 95 % CI 1.18-16.99, p = 0.027), and LM+ length > 6 mm (OR 7.65, 95 % CI 1.15-50.70, p = 0.035) were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSION

To decrease the risk of LM+, it is highly important to accurately delineate the lateral margins during ESD; when the final histopathological result is LM+, cases with LM+ length >6 mm or tumor size > 2 cm should be considered for additional surgical resection or re-ESD because of a high risk of tumor recurrence.

Increased incidence of secondary gastric neoplasia in patients with early gastric cancer and coexisting gastric neoplasia at the initial endoscopic evaluation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Multiple synchronous gastric cancers are found in up to 14% of affected patients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of secondary gastric neoplasia including missed synchronous gastric neoplasia in this patient group compared with that after a single cancer resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Four hundred and forty patients who underwent endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer (EGC) were divided into two groups: those with or without synchronous gastric neoplasia at the initial assessment. Secondary gastric neoplasia was defined as missed synchronous gastric neoplasia or metachronous gastric neoplasia. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics and the incidence of secondary gastric neoplasia between the two groups.

RESULTS

Synchronous gastric neoplasias were found in 34 patients (7.7%) at the initial endoscopic examination of EGC. Secondary gastric neoplasias were found in 67 of 440 patients (15.2%) during the follow-up period (median 24.0 months). The incidence of secondary gastric neoplasia and missed synchronous gastric neoplasia was higher in those patients with synchronous gastric neoplasia than in those with a solitary EGC at the initial treatment (P<0.01). Between the two groups, the risk of the secondary neoplasia was significantly higher within 1 year after endoscopic resection (P<0.01), but not after 1 year (P=0.20).

CONCLUSION

EGC with synchronous gastric neoplasia at the initial endoscopic examination was associated with an increased risk of secondary gastric neoplasia. These patients should be evaluated carefully with a shorter interval after the initial treatment.

Minimally invasive surgery in gastric cancer

Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer has rapidly gained popularity due to the early detection of early gastric cancer. As advances in instruments and the accumulation of laparoscopic experience increase, laparoscopic techniques are being used for less invasive but highly technical procedures. Recent evidence suggests that the short- and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for early gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer are comparable to those of conventional open surgery. However, these results should be confirmed by large-scale multicenter prospective randomized controlled clinical trials.

Secondary endoscopic submucosal dissection for residual or recurrent tumors after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a widely accepted technique for the management of gastric tumors. However, residual or recurrent tumors can occur after ESD; currently, there is no adequate management strategy for these tumors. Thus, the aim of the present study was to establish a strategy of secondary ESD (sESD) for cases with positive lateral margins (LM+), which cause post-ESD residual or recurrent tumors.

METHODS

Fifty-three lesions that were subjected to ESD were diagnosed as LM+ with suspected local residual tumor. The short- and long-term outcomes of early sESD (performed shortly after the initial ESD in LM+ cases to prevent local recurrence) were retrospectively compared with those of late sESD (performed after the detection of recurrent tumors).

RESULTS

Of the 53 LM+ cases, the local residual positive rate was 38.5 % (10/26) in those undergoing early sESD or additional surgery and the local recurrence rate was 29.6 % (8/27) in those that were not treated. Thus, the overall incidence of residual or recurrent tumors in LM+ cases was 34.0 % (18/53). Both early and late sESD had favorable outcomes with no severe complications: 100 % of early sESD resections were curative, compared with 86.7 % of late sESD resections, over the course of a mean (±SD) observation period of 50.8 ± 16.7 months. The performance of early sESD was significantly greater than that of late sESD (in terms of dissection speed).

CONCLUSIONS

Early sESD is more reliable than late sESD as a therapeutic strategy for salvaging residual tumors and for preventing recurrence. However, if a tumor has already recurred, late sESD remains useful.

Endoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer

Gastric cancer remains one of the most common causes of cancer death. However the proportion of early gastric cancer (EGC) at diagnosis is increasing. Endoscopic treatment for EGC is actively performed worldwide in cases meeting specific criteria. Endoscopic mucosal resection can treat EGC with comparable results to surgery for selected cases. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) increases the en bloc and complete resection rates and reduces the local recurrence rate. ESD has been performed with expanded indication and is expected to be more widely used in the treatment of EGC through the technological advances in the near future. This review will describe the techniques, indications and outcomes of endoscopic treatment for EGC.

Endoscopic Resection for Early Gastric Cancer beyond Absolute Indication with Emphasis on Controversial Issues

Endoscopic resection is the established treatment for early gastric cancer in selected patients with negligible risk of lymph node metastasis ('absolute indication'). Based on clinical observations and large pathological databases, expanding indications for endoscopic resection beyond absolute indication has been tried in Japan and Korea. However, controversies exist regarding the safety of treating early gastric cancer beyond absolute indication in terms of pathological evaluation of the resected specimen, definition of expanded indication, discrepancy between pre-endoscopic resection and post-endoscopic resection diagnoses of gastric neoplasm, and the best strategy for cases with non-curative resection. In this brief review, current evidence and clinical experience regarding issues of endoscopic resection beyond absolute indication will be summarized.