High prevalence of colonic polyps in white males with esophageal adenocarcinoma

Relationship between Barrett's esophagus and colonic diseases: a role for colonoscopy in Barrett's surveillance

BACKGROUND

Given that risk factors for Barrett's carcinogenesis are predictive, appropriate management and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus (BE) may be provided. The presence of colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) is a possible predictor of the development of BE and the progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). We evaluated the relationship between BE or EAC and colonic diseases, including neoplasms and diverticulosis.

METHODS

Patients (N = 5606) who underwent both colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2016 and December 2017 at three institutions were enrolled. The relationships between the presence of colonic diseases and BE or EAC and other clinical or endoscopic predictors of the presence of BE were investigated retrospectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of BE ≥ 1 cm and ≥ 3 cm in length was 13.0% and 0.52%, respectively. BE was closely related with the presence of colorectal adenoma (48.4% vs. 37.2% in non-BE; P < 0.001), adenocarcinoma (16.6% vs. 8.4%, P < 0.001) and colonic diverticulosis (CD) (34.1% vs. 29.3%, P < 0.001). In patients with long-segment BE, CRNs (79.3%, P < 0.001) and CD (48.2%, P = 0.038) were more common. EAC patients also had a statistically significantly higher incidence of CRNs than non-BE patients (87.5% vs. 45.6%, P = 0.027). Diverticulosis at the distal colon correlated significantly with EAC and BE (50.0%, P = 0.010 and 15.4%, P = 0.024, vs. 12.0% in non-BE). Multivariate analysis showed that CRNs (t = 8.55, P < 0.001), reflux esophagitis (t = 5.26, P < 0.001) and hiatal hernia (t = 11.68, P < 0.001) were predictors of BE.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of CRNs was strongly associated with BE and EAC. Therefore, colonoscopy may be useful for establishing a strategy for the surveillance of BE.

Isolated Colonic Metastasis From Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive and highly lethal malignancy that has a high death-to-incidence ratio approaching 0.90. We present a 60-year-old man with a history of Barrett's esophagus, presented with dysphagia. An upper endoscopy with biopsy confirmed invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Workup, including positron emission tomography scan, showed no evidence of metastasis. A preoperative colonoscopy showed a nodule in the ascending colon that was proven later to be a metastatic lesion from the esophageal primary tumor. Esophageal adenocarcinoma with an isolated colonic metastasis is an extremely rare presentation of esophageal metastasis. These metastatic lesions may not be detected by the positron emission tomography scan.

Correlation of Barrett's esophagus with colorectal polyps in Japanese patients: A retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Barrett's esophagus and colorectal polyps have several overlapping risk factors. Whereas several reports in Western countries have indicated a close relationship between Barrett's esophagus and colorectal polyps, the relationship between these two diseases remains unclear in Japan. This study was performed to determine whether the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus is related to that of colorectal polyps in Japanese patients.

METHODS

The present retrospective chart review included 1582 Japanese patients who underwent both total colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy from January 2010 to December 2016. The data on colorectal polyps and Barrett's esophagus were obtained from the endoscopic findings. The medical record of each patient was checked for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol drinking, use of acid suppression agents, and comorbidities including a history of diabetes, ischemic heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernia, and Helicobacter pylori infection.

RESULTS

Colorectal polyps were detected in 789 of the 1582 patients (49.9%). Barrett's esophagus was detected in 233 patients (14.7%), and most cases of Barrett's esophagus (n = 229) were classified as short-segment Barrett's esophagus. Colorectal polyps were more frequent in patients with than without Barrett's esophagus (odds ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-2.46; P < 0.001). In addition to Barrett's esophagus, the data indicated that old age, male sex, obesity, smoking, alcohol drinking, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease were independent risk factors for colorectal polyps.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed the correlation between the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus and colorectal polyps in Japanese patients.

Increased Risk for Colon Polyps in Patients with Reflux Disease

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have found an increased risk for colonic neoplasm in patients with Barrett's esophagus. It is unknown whether such risk applies similarly to other types of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

AIMS

To test whether GERD represents a risk factor for the occurrence of colon polyps.

METHODS

The Miraca Life Sciences Database is a large national electronic repository of histopathologic records of patients distributed throughout the entire USA. A case-control study evaluated whether presence of (1) Barrett's metaplasia, (2) erosive esophagitis on endoscopy or histologic signs of reflux esophagitis, (3) clinical diagnosis of GERD, (4) any type of GERD affected the occurrence hyperplastic polyps (HP), sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/P), or tubular adenomas (TA) among 228,506 subjects undergoing bidirectional endoscopy. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for the risk of HP, TA or SSA/P associated with various types of GERD and adjusted for age, sex, and presence of H. pylori.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed positive associations between GERD and all types of colon polyps. These associations applied similarly to HP (1.47, 1.44-1.50), TA (1.30, 1.27-1.32), and SSA/P (1.52, 1.46-1.58). They also applied to different forms of GERD, showing a trend toward stronger associations, that is higher odds ratios, with Barrett's metaplasia or erosive esophagitis than clinical diagnosis of GERD.

CONCLUSION

All types of GERD represent a risk factor for the occurrence of different colon polyps, such as HP, TA, or SSA/P.

Importance of colonoscopy in patients undergoing endoscopic resection for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to clarify the frequency of colorectal neoplasm (CRN) complicating superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the need for colonoscopy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 101 patients who had undergone initial endoscopic resection (ER) for superficial ESCC. Control group participants were age- and sex-matched asymptomatic subjects screened at our hospital over the same period of time. Advanced adenoma was defined as an adenoma ≥10 mm, with villous features, or high-grade dysplasia. Advanced CRN referred to advanced adenoma or cancer. We measured the incidence of advanced CRN in superficial ESCC and controls, and we compared the characteristics of superficial ESCC patients with and without advanced CRN.

RESULTS

In the superficial ESCC group, advanced CRNs were found in 17 patients (16.8%). A history of smoking alone was found to be a significant risk factor of advanced CRN [odds ratio 6.02 (95% CI 1.30-27.8), P=0.005].

CONCLUSION

The frequency of synchronous advanced CRN is high in superficial ESCC patients subjected to ER. Colonoscopy should be highly considered for most patients who undergo ER for superficial ESCC with a history of smoking, and is recommended even in superficial ESCC patients.

Risk factors affecting the Barrett's metaplasia-dysplasia-neoplasia sequence

Esophageal adenocarcinoma has the fastest growing incidence rate of any cancer in the United States, and currently carries a very poor prognosis with 5 years relative survival rates of less than 15%. Current curative treatment options are limited to esophagectomy, a procedure that suffers from high complication rates and high mortality rates. Metaplasia of the esophageal epithelium, a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus (BE), is widely accepted as the precursor lesion for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Recently, radio-frequency ablation has been shown to be an effective method to treat BE, although there is disagreement as to whether radio-frequency ablation should be used to treat all patients with BE or whether treatment should be reserved for those at high risk for progressing to esophageal adenocarcinoma while continuing to endoscopically survey those with low risk. Recent research has been targeted towards identifying those at greater risk for progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma so that radio-frequency ablation therapy can be used in a more targeted manner, decreasing the total health care cost as well as improving patient outcomes. This review discusses the current state of the literature regarding risk factors for progression from BE through dysplasia to esophageal adenocarcinoma, as well as the current need for an integrated scoring tool or risk stratification system capable of differentiating those patients at highest risk of progression in order to target these endoluminal therapies.

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Have an Increased Risk of Coexisting Colorectal Neoplasms

Background/Aims

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) share risk factors. We aimed to investigate whether the CRN risk is increased in ESCC patients.

Methods

ESCC patients who underwent a colonoscopy within 1 year of diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were matched 1:3 by age, gender, and body mass index to asymptomatic controls. CRN was defined as the histological confirmation of adenoma or adenocarcinoma. Advanced CRN was defined as any of the following: ≥3 adenomas, high-grade dysplasia, villous features, tumor ≥1 cm, or adenocarcinoma. The risk factors for both CRN and advanced CRN were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Sixty ESCC patients were compared with 180 controls. The ESCC group had significantly higher numbers of CRNs (odds ratio [OR], 2.311; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.265 to 4.220; p=0.006) and advanced CRNs (OR, 2.317; 95% CI, 1.185 to 4.530; p=0.013). Significant risk factors for both CRN and advanced CRN by multivariate analysis included ESCC (OR, 2.157, 95% CI, 1.106 to 4.070, p=0.024; and OR, 2.157, 95% CI, 1.045 to 4.454, p=0.038, respectively) and older age (OR, 1.068, 95% CI, 1.032 to 1.106, p<0.001; and OR, 1.065, 95% CI, 1.024 to 1.109, p=0.002, respectively).

Conclusions

The rates of CRN and advanced CRN are significantly increased in ESCC. Colonos-copy should be considered at ESCC diagnosis.

Prevalence and management of colorectal neoplasia in surgically treated esophageal cancer patients

AIMS

The existence of other primary tumors during the treatment of esophageal cancer patients has been an important issue. Our aim is to investigate the prevalence and management of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) in surgically treated esophageal cancer patients.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2008, 93 patients with esophageal cancer were surgically treated. Seventy-three patients underwent subtotal esophagectomy and 20 underwent lower esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Colonoscopy was available for detecting CRN before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine (95.7%) of the 93 patients were screened by colonoscopy preoperatively or within a year from the operation. Thirty-nine patients (43.8%) with CRN were synchronously identified: adenoma in 34 (38.2%) and adenocarcinoma in 5 patients (5.6%). Eleven adenomas with high grade-dysplasia and 8 adenomas with low grade-dysplasia were removed endoscopically. Three superficial adenocarcinomas were endoscopically removed before surgery, and 2 adenocarcinomas were surgically removed. Seventy-four patients (83.1%) were followed using colonoscopy, and 11 subsequent CRN, including 2 superficial adenocarcinomas, were endoscopically detected in 8 patients (10.8%). The size of esophageal cancer was larger in the patients with than without CRN (p = 0.036). The body mass index in esophageal cancer patients with CRN tended to be higher than in those without CRN (p = 0.065).

CONCLUSIONS

We noted that esophageal cancer is frequently associated with synchronous and/or metachronous colorectal cancer and adenomas. Colonoscopy is useful to detect and manage CRN before and after esophagectomy, although a few limitations exist.

Higher prevalence of colon polyps in patients with Barrett's esophagus: a case-control study

Background and aims: Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and colorectal neoplasms share similar risk factors. Previous studies have shown variable prevalence of colon polyps in patients with BE. Our aims were to determine the prevalence and incidence of colon polyps in patients with BE, compared to those without BE.

Methods: In this case-control study, the study group included patients, aged 50–75 years, with biopsy-proven BE, who underwent colonoscopy at Cleveland Clinic from January 2002 to December 2011. The control group consisted of age- and sex-matched patients who underwent colonoscopy and also an endoscopy with no evidence of BE during the same time period. Exclusion criteria for both groups were family- or personal previous history of colon cancer or polyps, prior colonic resection, inflammatory bowel disease and familial polyposis syndromes. Patient demographics, comorbidities, medication use and endoscopic and colonoscopic details were collected, including biopsy results.

Results: A total of 519 patients were included in the study; 173 patients with BE in the study group and 346 without BE in the control group. Mean age at index colonoscopy was 61 ± 8 years and 75% of patients were male. On index colonoscopy, patients with BE were more likely to have polyps than controls (45% vs 32%, respectively; P = 0.003). Patients underwent between one and five colonoscopies during the follow-up. On multivariate analysis—after adjusting for age, gender and diabetes—patients with BE were 80% more likely to have any type of polyp, and 50% more likely to have adenomas found during colonoscopy.

Conclusions: Patients with BE had higher prevalence and incidence of colon polyps. This has important clinical implications for screening and surveillance in BE patients.

Barrett's metaplasia and colonic neoplasms: a significant association in a 203,534-patient study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The presence of an association between Barrett's metaplasia and colonic neoplasia has remained controversial. The aim of the study was to test the presence of this association, using a large national database.

METHODS

From a computerized database of surgical pathology reports, we selected 203,000 subjects who underwent colonoscopy and esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy with biopsy results available from both procedures. In a case-control study we compared the occurrence of Barrett's metaplasia in patients with and without various types of colonic neoplasms.

RESULTS

Barrett's metaplasia occurred more frequently among patients with hyperplastic polyps (OR = 2.14, 95 % CI 2.02-2.27), adenomatous polyps (2.52, 2.41-2.64), advanced adenomas (2.10, 1.90-2.32), villous adenomas or adenomas with high-grade (HG) dysplasia (2.45, 2.28-2.64), and colonic adenocarcinomas (1.75, 1.39-2.22). The association between Barrett's metaplasia and colonic neoplasm applied similarly to polyps of different size, number and location within the large bowel. These types of association could also be confirmed when analyzed separately for Barrett's metaplasia characterized by low-grade or HG dysplasia, as well as esophageal adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The data support the existence of a true association between Barrett's metaplasia and various types of colonic neoplasm. The association may be more interesting for its potential insights into the pathogenesis of the two disorders than its actual clinical implications.

Meta-analysis: Barrett's oesophagus and the risk of colonic tumours

BACKGROUND

Barrett's oesophagus (BO) is a premalignant condition associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Although speculation exists, it is currently unclear if BO is associated with an increased risk of colonic tumours.

AIM

To conduct a meta-analysis of studies reporting the prevalence of colonic tumours in patients with BO vs. controls and thus quantify the risk of colonic tumours associated with BO.

METHODS

A search was conducted through Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Current Contents Connect to 7 October 2012. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model for the risk of all colonic tumours associated with BO, as well as for the subgroups of colorectal cancer (CRC) and benign adenomatous tumours.

RESULTS

In total, 11 studies, with 2580 BO cases, met our inclusion criteria. BO was associated with an increased risk of any colonic tumours (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.56-2.46). BO was associated with an increased risk of benign adenomatous tumours (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.20-2.39), as well as an increased risk of CRC (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.35-2.67). No statistically significant heterogeneity was observed. Publication bias was not present.

CONCLUSIONS

Barrett's oesophagus was associated with an increased risk of both benign adenomatous colonic tumours and colorectal cancer. Barrett's oesophagus had a stronger association with colorectal cancer than with benign colonic tumours. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm the relationship.

The role of integrated F-18-FDG-PET scanning in the detection of M1 disease in oesophageal adenocarcinoma and impact on clinical management

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scanning in the staging of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

One hundred four patients with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma underwent (18)F-FDG-PET scan. FDG avid lesions were further investigated to their diagnostic conclusion.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (18.26%) were found to have non-loco-regional FDG uptake. Of the patients, 3.84% were found to have M1 disease and 7.69% were found to have a second primary tumour. The sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET scanning to detect metastatic disease in our series was 57.14% and 84.53%, respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 82.69%.

CONCLUSIONS

PET scanning improves staging and prevents unnecessary surgery in patients with M1 disease. It represents a good adjunct to computed tomography scanning and endoscopic ultrasound in the staging of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The detection of asymptomatic coexisting synchronous cancers is an added benefit provided by PET scanning over similar diagnostic modalities.

Total cancer incidence and overall mortality are not increased among patients with Barrett's esophagus

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Barrett's esophagus (BE) increases risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma, but it is not clear how it affects risk for other cancers or overall mortality. We analyzed data from a population-based cohort of subjects with BE.

METHODS

The Netherlands Cohort Study was initiated in 1986 and included 120,852 participants (55-69 years old at baseline). Until December 2002, 626 incident cases of BE (excluding nonintestinal metaplasia) were identified by record linkage with the nationwide Pathology Registry. This cohort was followed for a median period of 5.7 years; data on cancer and mortality were obtained from record linkage to the Netherlands Cancer Registry and Statistics Netherlands. The expected number of cases was calculated using national cancer incidence and mortality data.

RESULTS

In the BE cohort, 13 individuals developed esophageal cancer and 5 developed gastric cancer. The ratio of observed:expected (O:E) incidence of esophageal and gastric cancer was 10.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3-17.1) and 1.8 (95% CI, 0.6-4.2), respectively. Total cancer incidence (excluding esophageal and gastric cancer) increased in the BE cohort, although not by a statistically significant amount (O:E, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.6). Of cancer subtypes, incidences of small intestinal and pancreatic cancer increased in subjects with BE, but not by a statistically significant amount, after exclusion of data from the first 6 months of follow-up. During the follow-up period, 225 individuals with BE died. Mortality from all causes (excluding esophageal and gastric cancer) was not increased among subjects with BE (O:E, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9-1.2), nor was mortality from specific causes of death.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of esophageal cancer was increased in a population-based cohort of subjects with BE. However, when esophageal and gastric cancers were excluded, total cancer incidence and overall mortality were not increased among subjects with BE.