Endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal cancer with near-circumferential lesions: our experience with 40 patients

Outcome of a novel self-control stricture-preventing water balloon for complete circular esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection

OBJECTIVES

Post-ESD esophageal stricture especially after wholly circumferential ESD remains an unresolved issue without ideal strategies. Our initiative novel self-control stricture-preventing water balloon may be an alternative.

METHODS

Patients with esophageal neoplastic lesions expected to result in a whole circular mucosa defect after esophageal ESD from February 2018 to August 2020 were included in the study. We used a novel self-control stricture-preventing water balloon combined with oral prednisolone as preventive strategy for the enrolled patients.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients (9 females and 28 males, patients aged 52 to 82 years) finished the 12-week treatment including steroid treatment and balloon placement. The median size of longitudinal diameter was 7 cm (range from 4 to 14 cm). All the lesions achieved curative resection and the median procedure time was 110 min (range 50 to 180 min). Balloons were found migration in 4 patients. As a result, there were 3 patients (8.1%) experienced stricture. Generally, patients could tolerate to balloons, only with mild uncomfortableness, such as occasional sore throat, cough, and retrosternal pain. In addition, during the follow-up period, no significant adverse events associated to oral steroid administration were observed and no recurrence was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel self-control stricture-preventing water balloon based on the oral steroid therapy is effective and safe. This strategy well prevents esophageal stricture after complete circumferential ESD.

Endoscopic resection with adjuvant treatment versus esophagectomy for early-stage esophageal cancer

Objective

To evaluate the outcome following the strategy of endoscopic R0 resection (ER) plus adjuvant treatment (AT) versus esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell cancer in T1a invading muscularis mucosa (M3)-T1b stage.

Methods

We evaluated the outcomes of 46 esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) patients with T1aM3-T1b stage who underwent ER + AT from the Esophageal Cancer Endoscopic Therapy Consortium (ECETC) and compared these outcomes to 92 patients who underwent esophagectomy. Propensity score matching (1:2) was used, with overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) being compared between the two groups.

Results

During a median follow-up of 32 months, there were no statistical differences (P = 0.226) in OS between the two groups. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival in the esophagectomy group was 95%, 91%, and 84%, respectively. There were no mortalities within three years in the ER + AT group. The RFS between the two groups was also not significantly different (P = 0.938). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year RFS of patients in the esophagectomy group was 90%, 90%, and 83%, respectively, while it was 97%, 94%, and 74% in the ER + AT group, respectively. The local recurrence rates between the two groups were not significantly different (P = 0.277).

Conclusions

This first multicenter analysis showed similar outcomes were found regarding OS and RFS between the two groups in T1aM3-T1b stage patients. ER + AT may be considered in high-risk patients or for those who refuse esophagectomy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00464-021-08466-2.

Progress of esophageal stricture prevention after endoscopic submucosal dissection by regenerative medicine and tissue engineering

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely accepted as an effective treatment for early esophageal cancer. However, post-ESD esophageal stricture remains a thorny issue. We herein review many strategies for preventing post-ESD esophageal stricture, as well as discuss their strengths and weaknesses. These strategies include pharmacological prophylaxis, esophageal stent and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine treatment. In this review, we summarize these studies and discuss the underlying progress and future directions of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine treatment.

Prevention of Stricture after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Superficial Esophageal Cancer: A Review of the Literature

Endoscopic resection has been the standard treatment for intramucosal esophageal cancers (ECs) because of the low risk of lymph node metastases in the lesions. In recent years, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which can resect large ECs, has been performed. However, the risk of esophageal stricture after ESD is high when the mucosal defect caused by the treatment exceeds 3/4 of the circumference of the lumen. Despite the subsequent high risk of luminal stricture, ESD has been performed even in cases of circumferential EC. In such cases, it is necessary to take measures to prevent stricture. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to clarify the current status of stricture prevention methods after esophageal ESD based on previous literature. Although various prophylactic methods have been reported to have stricture-preventing effects, steroid injection therapy and oral steroid administration are mainstream. However, in cases of circumferential EC, both steroid injection therapy and oral steroid administration cannot effectively prevent luminal stricture. To solve this issue, clinical applications, such as tissue shielding methods with polyglycolic acid sheet, autologous oral mucosal epithelial sheet transplantation, and stent placement, have been developed. However, effective prophylaxis of post-ESD mucosal defects of the esophagus is still unclear. Therefore, further studies in this research field are needed.

Endoscopic radial incision method for two strictures of the esophagus after endoscopic submucosal dissection: a case report

Background

The development of severe esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early esophageal carcinoma is not uncommon. Dilation by Savary-Gilliard dilators or balloon dilators is the first-line treatment for such complex refractory benign stricture, but it has a high risk of treatment failure. So far, endoscopic radial incision (ERI) as a new technology for the treatment of post-ESD esophageal stricture has been rarely reported. We report a case, which we designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ERI technology for two severe strictures of the esophagus after ESD.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old man had suffered from two complex refractory benign strictures of the esophagus after ESD for early esophageal carcinoma. The patient was refractory to multiple endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) therapy previously. Thus, the patient underwent ERI successfully and without postoperative complications such as fever, poststernal pain, bleeding, and perforation. During 3 months of follow-up after ERI, the patient had no recurrence of dysphagia.

Conclusions

Refractory strictures of the esophagus after ESD are common. ERI is a safe and efficient strategy for treating such multiple refractory esophageal strictures.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for superficial esophageal neoplastic lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Presently, endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) has been a novel therapy for superficial esophageal neoplastic lesions (SENL), especially for circumferential neoplastic lesions. A number of studies have reported the clinical application of ESTD with promising outcomes. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluated the efficacy and safety of ESTD for SENL .

METHODS

From 2013 to November 2018, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched to determine studies reporting ESTD treatment of SENL. Weighted pooled rates (WPR) were calculated for en bloc resection, R0 resection and complication of ESTD. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated and pooled to compare the clinical outcomes of ESTD with ESD for SENL.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies involving 494 patients with 518 esophageal neoplastic lesions were included in our study. WPR for en bloc resection and R0 resection of ESTD was 97.0% (95% CI: 94.7-98.3%) and 84.1% (95% CI: 80.5-87.1%), respectively. WPR for complication was 40.0% (95% CI: 25.8-56.1%). Two studies with 265 patients compared the performance of ESTD with ESD. Pooled RR for en bloc resection and R0 resection was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.95-1.14, P = 0.42) and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.93-1.10, P = 0.73), respectively. Pooled RR for complication was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.46-1.01, P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that ESTD is effective for treating SENL with high en bloc resection rate and R0 resection rate, but accompanying by a relatively high complications.

Novel endoscopic treatment strategy for early esophageal cancer in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices

The safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and radiofrequency ablation for early esophageal cancer (EEC) in cirrhotic patients has not been thoroughly investigated to date. The present study aimed to establish a standard treatment strategy for EEC in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices. Six cirrhotic patients with early flat-type EECs (high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) on or adjacent to esophageal varices were enrolled. Esophageal varix ligation (EVL) or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) were used for the initial management of esophageal varices. Follow-up endoscopy was performed two months following the initial procedure. The mean longitudinal length of the lesions was 4.3 cm (range, 2-6 cm). The average procedure time was 72.8 min (range, 34-135 min) and the average longitudinal length of the resected specimens was 45.6 mm (range, 30-90 mm). One case had a tumor-positive lateral margin with lymphovascular infiltration. Both complete and curative resection rates were 80% (4/5 lesions). Large intraoperative bleeding was detected in patients undergoing EVL compared with TIPS prior to the ESD procedure. No severe complications or mortality-associated events, including massive postoperative bleeding, perforation or hepatic failure, were observed. No recurrence and metastasis were observed during the follow-up period. The current study suggested a novel treatment strategy for EECs complicated by esophageal varices in cirrhosis with good treatment results, no neoplastic progression and an acceptable adverse event profile.

Endoscopic Submucosal Single- or Multi-tunnel Dissection for Near-Circumferential and Circumferential Superficial Esophageal Neoplastic Lesions

This study reports the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal single-tunnel dissection or endoscopic submucosal multi-tunnel dissection for the treatment of esophageal neoplastic lesions of at least three-quarters of the esophageal circumference, including circumferential superficial esophageal neoplastic lesions. From July 2014 to February 2018, a total of 124 lesions underwent endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection at our hospital. One to four submucosal tunnels were created in the oral to anal direction. Of the 124 lesions, there were 83 noncomplete circumferential lesions and 41 circumferential lesions. Endoscopic submucosal single-tunnel dissection was performed in 54 patients, two-tunnel dissection in 43 patients, three-tunnel dissection in 19 patients, and four-tunnel dissection in 8 patients. The mean dissection speed was 22.8 ± 12.7 mm²/min. En bloc dissection was achieved in all lesions, and the R0 resection rate was 70.2 percent. No matter how large the lesion area was, there were no significant differences in the dissection speed and the R0 resection rate when lesions were at least three-quarters of the esophageal circumference. Esophageal stricture was observed in 54 patients and was relieved by placement of a retrievable metal stent or by endoscopic water balloon dilation. No recurrence was noted after 19.1 ± 12.4 months of follow-up. Our large sample size study showed that endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection showed effectiveness and safety for the treatment of large superficial esophageal neoplastic lesions at least three-quarters of the esophageal circumference, including circumferential superficial esophageal neoplastic lesions.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Superficial Proximal Esophageal Neoplasia is Highly Successful

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial proximal esophageal neoplasia.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The surgery for a tumor located in proximal esophagus is relatively difficult and leads to a high morbidity and mortality. ESD is a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment of superficial neoplasia of the gastrointestinal tract allowing en block resection with low recurrence rates; however, ESD for superficial proximal esophageal neoplasia is little known.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 102 consecutive patients who fit the inclusion criteria with 106 lesions who underwent ESD from February 2009 to July 2015 at the Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai, China. During the study, the en bloc and pathologically complete resection rates, complication rate, incidence of esophageal stricture after ESD, disease-specific, and overall survival rates were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age was 62 (45-84) years with 100% en bloc resection rate. The mean operation time was 48 (10-144) minutes. The mean diameter of the resected tumors was 2.9 (1.2-6.5) cm. The pathological diagnoses were high-grade intraepithelial dysplasia in 45 (42.5%) lesions, and the rest were squamous cell carcinoma with staging of intraepithelial in 18 (17.0%), lamina propria in 13 (12.3%), muscularis mucosa in 16 (15.1%), SM1 in 10 (9.4%), and SM2 or deeper in 4 (3.8%) of the lesions. The R0 resection rates were 94.3% (100/106). There was no delayed bleeding. Two small perforations observed were closed successfully with clips. Symptomatic esophageal strictures in 17 (16.7%) patients were treated by endoscopic balloon dilation with a mean of 4 (1-14) times and 88.2% (15/17) success. Additional treatments of esophagectomy or chemoradiotherapy were recommended to patients with SM1 or deeper neoplasia or incomplete resection. Local recurrence was observed in 3 (2.9%) cases. Fifteen patients were lost to follow-up. Five-year overall survival rate was 98% and disease-specific survival rate was 100%. The mean follow-up time was 33.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

ESD for the superficial proximal esophageal neoplasia is a safe and a very effective treatment method with a 100% 5-year disease-specific survival rate.

Does delayed esophagectomy after endoscopic resection affect outcomes in patients with stage T1 esophageal cancer? A propensity score-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Although endoscopic resection (ER) may be sufficient treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer, additional treatment is recommended when there is a high risk of cancer recurrence. It is unclear whether delaying esophagectomy by performing and assessing the success of ER affects outcomes as compared with immediate esophagectomy without ER. Additionally, long-term survival after sequential ER and esophagectomy required further investigation.

METHODS

Between 2011 and 2015, 48 patients with stage T1 esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy after ER with curative intent at our institution. Two-to-one propensity score methods were used to identify 96 matched-control patients who were treated with esophagectomy only using baseline patient, tumor characteristics and surgical approach. Time from initial evaluation to esophagectomy, relapse-free survival, overall survival, and postoperative complications were compared between the propensity-matched groups.

RESULTS

In the ER + esophagectomy group, the time from initial evaluation to esophagectomy was significantly longer than in the esophagectomy only group (114 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001). The incidence of dense adhesion (p = 0.347), operative time (p = 0.867), postoperative surgical complications (p = 0.966), and postoperative length of hospital stay (p = 0.125) were not significantly different between the groups. Moreover, recurrence-free survival and overall survival were also similar between the two groups (p = 0.411 and p = 0.817, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of stage T1 esophageal cancer with ER prior to esophagectomy did not increase the difficulty of performing esophagectomy or the incidence of postoperative complications and did not affect survival after esophagectomy. These results suggest that ER can be recommended for patients with stage T1 cancer even if esophagectomy is warranted eventually.

Prophylactic stenting for esophageal stricture prevention after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of superficial esophageal cancer has been increasingly used as an alternative to surgery because it is minimally invasive and has a high rate of en bloc resection. However, a high rate of esophageal stricture is observed after ESD for large lesions, which can dramatically decrease the patient’s quality of life. Stricture prevention is necessary to allow for endoscopic therapy to expand. We, herein, review the most recent evidence and discuss the role of the metallic self-expandable stent and the biodegradable stent in esophageal stricture prevention. Limited studies suggested that prophylactic stenting could reduce the stricture rate without increasing the number of complications. In addition, the number of bougie dilation procedures was significantly lower with stent placement. Esophageal stenting is a promising option for post-ESD stricture prevention. However, current evidence is too preliminary to formulate practice standards. Future studies are needed to further validate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic stenting and determine the best strategy for stricture prevention. Stent migration is the most common complication. A new stent that has advantages of a low migration rate and minimal tissue reaction will need to be developed. Therefore, randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up periods are required before prophylactic stenting could be considered a valid option to prevent post-ESD stricture.

Prevention of Esophageal Strictures After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Promising Therapy Using Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sheets

BACKGROUND

Esophageal stricture is one of the serious adverse events following endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, optimum preventive techniques are still lacking.

AIMS

Our primary objective was to evaluate the incidence of post-ESD esophageal stricture with the application of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) sheets. Secondary objectives were to determine the number of sessions of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) required to resolve post-ESD strictures and the incidence rate of peri-operative adverse events.

METHODS

This was a pilot, single-center, prospective study. Seven patients who had high risks of developing post-ESD esophageal stricture were enrolled into our study. CMC sheets were applied to the mucosal defects immediately after the completion of ESD. Patients were monitored and reviewed after ESD to detect any adverse events.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of post-operative stricture was 57 % (4/7 patients). Among patients who required EBD, the number of sessions performed was 2.8 ± 2.2. No serious post-operative adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

The use of CMC sheets appears to be a safe and effective prophylactic treatment for esophageal stricture following extensive ESD.

Application of clip traction in endoscopic submucosal dissection to the treatment of early esophageal carcinoma and precancerous lesions

BACKGROUND AND AIM

It is usually difficult to obtain a good view of the dissection plane during esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of clip traction in ESD for the treatment of early esophageal carcinoma (EEC) or precancerous lesions.

METHODS

This is a case-matched comparative study. We selected 100 EEC patients who had undergone ESD. Fifty cases underwent ESD without clip traction (non-clip group), and 50 cases underwent ESD with clip traction (clip group). The patient-related variables, dissection time, data regarding muscularis propria injury, etc. were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

ESD was successful in all cases without complication. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to age, gender, the longitudinal diameter of the lesions, etc. Wide visual field exposure of the submucosal tissue below the lesion was obtained by applying clip traction. The dissection time of ESD was shorter in the clip group than in the non-clip group [22.02 (6.77) min vs 26.48 (12.56); P = 0.018] when the extent of lesion was less than half of the circumference of the esophagus; otherwise, there was no difference between the two groups (P = 0.252). Moreover, the muscularis propria injuries in the clip group were obviously less than the non-clip group (10 vs 30 %, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Clip traction can decrease the rate of muscularis propria injury and shorten the dissection time. It is recommended as a safe and effective auxiliary procedure for the treatment of esophageal ESD.

Local efficacy and survival outcome of salvage endoscopic therapy for local recurrent lesions after definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Salvage endoscopic therapy (SET), such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), is a less-invasive treatment for local failure at the primary site after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We conducted this retrospective study to clarify the risk factors for local recurrence along with the long term results after SET for recurrent lesions after definitive CRT for ESCC.

METHODS

We enrolled 77 consecutive patients who underwent EMR or PDT for local recurrence without any metastasis after definitive CRT at our institution. We evaluated the local efficacy, local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and overall survival (OS), and investigated the risk factors associated with survival outcome using a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The complete resection rate of EMR was 84.6 % (33/39), and the complete response rate for PDT was 65.8 % (25/38). Twenty-two patients (28.6 %) exhibited local recurrence without metastasis. Thirty-four patients (44.2 %) were alive at 5 years after undergoing only initial SET or with repeated SET. The 5-year LRFS rate was 59.6 %, and the presence of lesions occupying an esophageal circumference of 1/4 or larger was the only significant risk factor (HR: 3.10, 95 % CI: 1.35-7.15, P = 0.008). The 5-year OS rate was 48.4 %, and an advanced T factor before CRT was marginally associated with a poor OS (HR: 1.96, 95 % CI: 0.98-3.92, P = 0.055).

CONCLUSIONS

SET enabled a preferable local control and survival outcome for patients with local recurrence after definitive CRT for ESCC. Careful endoscopic follow-up is needed for patients with a large lesion before SET and those with an advanced T factor before CRT.

Delayed esophageal perforation occurring with endoscopic submucosal dissection: A report of two cases

We report two cases of delayed esophageal perforation occurring with endoscopic submucosal dissection. Our cases involved delayed perforation after 10 d in case 1 and after 6 d in case 2. Both cases were related to solid food. We performed subtotal esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction of the esophagus via the subcutaneous route anterior to the thoracic wall without conservative treatment because both cases involved chest pain and major leakage of food into the mediastinum. Postoperative complications were a local factor (including suture failure and esophageal stricture) in case 1, and we performed endoscopic balloon dilatation five times for esophageal stricture. There was no intrathoracic and mediastinal infection in either case. Surgical treatment for delayed esophageal perforation can be performed safely and surely if diagnosis and assessment are not delayed.

Complete circular endoscopic resection using submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement for circumferential superficial esophageal lesions

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

At present, removing a circumferential superficial esophageal lesion (SEL) via en bloc resection is still a great challenge. Based on the previous success of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection, this study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of complete circular endoscopic resection (CER) using a submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement for patients with circumferential SELs.

METHODS

From August 2012 to June 2014, 23 patients with circumferential SELs were treated by CER using a submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement. The following steps were performed: (1) circular mucosa incisions were made at the anal and oral side of the lesion after marking the margin, (2) two submucosal tunnels were created from the oral to anal side using a hybrid knife, which was followed by submucosal dissection, and (3) following the completion of CER, a retrievable esophageal stent was placed to prevent postoperative stricture.

RESULTS

CER using the submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement was successfully performed for all 23 cases. The complete resection and success rate were 100%, while the mean longitudinal diameter of the lesions was 65 mm. Mediastinal emphysema, pneumothorax, and postoperative stenosis were detected in 8.7% (2/23), 4.3% (1/23), and 17.4% (4/23) of the cases, respectively. Pathological diagnoses of the lesions included carcinomas (13/23) and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias (10/23). No residual or recurrent tumors were detected in any patient during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

CER using the submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement seems to be a safe and effective procedure for treating patients with SELs that result in a higher en bloc resection rate with fewer or minor complications.

Advances in prevention and treatment of esophageal stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is one of endoscopic minimally invasive techniques, referring to submucosal dissection of lesions greater than 2 cm using a variety of electric scalpels. At present ESD has become the most common choice of treatment for early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. With the wide application and development of esophageal ESD technology, post-ESD esophageal stenosis, as a major complication of esophageal ESD, has affected endoscopic treatment for the larger scope of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions and has plagued digestive endoscopy experts. For this complication, there have been no universally accepted treatment guidelines in the world. Scholars of different countries are taking efforts to develop different treatment or prevention strategies, looking forward to finding a better solution to the treatment or prevention of this complication. In this paper, we focus on the recent progress in the prevention and treatment of post-ESD esophageal stenosis.