Outcomes of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection vs Esophagectomy for T1 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Real-World Cohort

Recurrence and prognostic predictors in pathologic T1N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgery alone

BACKGROUND

Patients diagnosed with pathologic T1N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and treated with surgery alone have a good prognosis and are generally followed up without adjuvant therapy. However, recurrence has been observed in this patient group. Therefore, this study aimed to identify recurrence and prognostic factors in patients with pathologic T1N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who were treated with surgery alone.

METHODS

Of the 532 patients who underwent esophagectomy with R0 resection at Hiroshima University Hospital between August 2003 and November 2018, 124 who underwent only esophagectomy and had pathological T1N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were included in the study. Recurrence and prognostic factors were analyzed and details of recurrence were evaluated.

RESULTS

The 5-year recurrence-free survival and 5-year overall survival rates were 84.7% and 87.2%, respectively. Recurrence was observed in 12 (9.7%) patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the histologic type (poorly differentiated compared with others) and lymphatic and/or vascular invasion (positive compared with negative) were statistically significant for recurrence-free survival. Kaplan-Meier curves for recurrence-free survival and overall survival showed that prognosis was significantly stratified according to these factors. All patients with poorly differentiated and positive lymphatic and/or vascular invasion experienced recurrence and recurrence pattern is all distant metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Poorly differentiated and lymphatic and/or vascular invasion are important recurrence and prognostic predictors in pathologic T1N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgery alone. Patients with these prognostic factors experienced increased recurrence rates, often with distant metastasis. Therefore, adjuvant therapy may be beneficial for such patients and follow-ups should be performed at closer intervals.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal adenocarcinoma in the Eastern population: a comprehensive analysis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a preferred method for early esophageal cancer, yet its application to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), especially in the Eastern population with its relative rarity, lacks sufficient literature. This study evaluated ESD's long-term outcomes for EAC, focusing on noncurative resections and diagnostic accuracy.

METHODS

Between 2012 and 2022, a retrospective study included 68 patients undergoing ESD for early EAC at Jiangsu Province Hospital. Primary outcomes encompassed ESD efficacy, en bloc resection, R0 resection, curative resection rates, and follow-up. Secondary outcomes involved noncurative ESD, T1a/T1b stage comparison, and diagnostic consistency.

RESULTS

Postoperative staging revealed T1a (n = 53) and T1b tumors (n = 15). En bloc resection rate was 97.1%, R0 resection rate was 79.4%, and noncurative rate was 30.9%. T1a had significantly higher R0 rate and curative resection rate. Among noncurative ESDs, 33.3% underwent esophagectomy, 42.9% had surveillance endoscopies, 19.1% repeated curative ESD, and 4.7% were lost to follow-up. Average follow-up was 63.76 ± 28.47 months. Furthermore, 6 patients had recurrence, 3 had residual lesions, and 6 deaths occurred, unrelated to ESD. No significant difference in survival or recurrence rates between curative and noncurative ESD groups was observed. ESD led to a histologic diagnosis change in 70.6% of cases, all upstaged.

CONCLUSION

ESD is effective for EAC, with higher curative rates for T1a than T1b. Noncurative ESD cases may benefit from conservative approaches. Long-term follow-up underscores poor consistency between residual lesions and positive margins. ESD serves as a valuable diagnostic staging tool, particularly for T1b cases, considering the low accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound and preoperative biopsy.

Long-Term Outcomes of Esophageal Squamous Neoplasia with Muscularis Mucosa Involvement after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

Ambiguity exists over treatment and surveillance strategies after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN) with unfavorable histologic features. This study investigated the long-term outcomes of ESD in high-risk ESCN patients. We retrospectively included early ESCN patients treated with ESD at two medical centers in Taiwan between August 2010 and December 2023. Demographic, endoscopic and pathological data were collected. Among 146 patients (mean age 59.17 years) with 183 lesions, 73 (50%) had a history of head and neck cancer (HNC). En bloc and R0 resections were achieved in 100% and 95.6% of the lesions, respectively. The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and local recurrence rates were 42.7%, 94.7% and 11%. R0 resections were significantly associated with recurrence in a univariate analysis (HR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.66, p = 0.008). Alcohol abstinence was independently associated with lower recurrence (HR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.16-0.73, p = 0.006). Patients with pT1a-MM (muscularis mucosa invasion) had comparable OS (p = 0.82), DSS (p = 0.617) and recurrence (p = 0.63) rates to those with pT1a-EP/LPM (epithelium/lamina propria invasion). The long-term outcomes of ESCN patients after ESD for expanded indications were satisfactory. ESD could be considered in selected ESCN patients involving the muscularis mucosa, notably among high-risk HNC patients.

Outcomes of repeated endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma on endoscopic resection scar

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can be performed for superficial esophageal cancer. However, performing ESD for superficial esophageal cancer on a previous endoscopic resection scar may be difficult.

METHODS

We compared the outcomes between ESD for superficial esophageal cancers on previous endoscopic resection scar (group A) and that for naïve lesions (group B). The study included outcomes of ESD, cumulative incidence of local failure, and predictors of the occurrence of local failure in ESD patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The outcome variables evaluated were en bloc resection rates, procedure times, adverse events, and overall survival rates.

RESULTS

Overall, 220 lesions were extracted (groups A and B: 23 and 197 lesions, respectively). In groups A and B, the complete resection rates were 60.9 and 92.9% (P < 0.001), and the mean procedure times were 79 and 68 min (P = 0.15), respectively. The perforation rates in groups A and B were 4.3 and 1% (P = 0.28). The 1-year cumulative local failure rates were 22 and 1% (P < 0.001), respectively. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, superficial esophageal SCC on a previous endoscopic resection scar was a strong predictor of local failure (hazard ratio = 21.95 [3.99-120.80], P < 0.001). The 3-year overall survival rates in groups A and B were 95 and 93% (P = 0.99), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated ESD on scar is an option for treating superficial esophageal SCC with an acceptable rate of adverse events. Because of the low complete resection rate and high local failure compared with conventional ESD, strict endoscopic follow-up is required after repeated esophageal ESD.

Outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection versus esophagectomy for poorly differentiated superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A 10-year cohort study

BACKGROUNDS

The efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to treat poorly differentiated superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) is unclear.

AIMS

To exploring the efficacy and prognosis of ESD treatment poorly differentiated SESCC compared with esophagectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, the data of poorly differentiated SESCC patients who received ESD or esophagectomy from Jan 2011 to Jan 2021 were analyzed. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and procedure-related variables were compared between ESD and esophagectomy group.

RESULTS

95 patients underwent ESD, while 86 underwent esophagectomy. No significant differences were found between the two groups in OS (P = 0.587), DSS (P = 0.172), and RFS (P = 0.111). Oncologic outcomes were also similar between the two groups in propensity score-matched analysis. For T1a ESCC, the rates of R0 resection, LVI or nodal metastasis and additional therapy were similar between ESD and esophagectomy groups. But for T1b ESCC, the rates of positive resection margin and additional therapy were significantly higher in ESD group than those in esophagectomy group.

CONCLUSIONS

ESD is a minimally invasive procedure that has comparable oncologic outcomes with esophagectomy for treatment poorly differentiated T1a ESCC. However, ESD is not suitable for poorly differentiated T1b ESCC, additional surgery or radiochemotherapy should be required.

Ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic techniques and colorectal diseases: Current status and its future

Colorectal diseases are increasing due to altered lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors. Colonoscopy plays an important role in diagnosis. Advances in colonoscope (ultrathin scope, magnetic scope, capsule) and technological gadgets (Balloon assisted scope, third eye retroscope, NaviAid G-EYE, dye-based chromoendoscopy, virtual chromoendoscopy, narrow band imaging, i-SCAN, etc.) have made colonoscopy more comfortable and efficient. Now in-vivo microscopy can be performed using confocal laser endomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, spectroscopy, etc. Besides developments in diagnostic colonoscopy, therapeutic colonoscopy has improved to manage lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding, obstruction, perforations, resection polyps, and early colorectal cancers. The introduction of combined endo-laparoscopic surgery and robotic endoscopic surgery has made these interventions feasible. The role of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and management of colorectal diseases is also increasing day by day. Hence, this article is to review cutting-edge developments in endoscopic principles for the management of colorectal diseases.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection versus surgery for T1b esophageal carcinoma: a single-center retrospective study

Introduction

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a preferred treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, only few studies compared long-term survival outcomes of ESD with surgery, especially for T1b SESCC. This study compared the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and complication rates of both, to evaluate the value of ESD in patients with T1b SESCC.

Methods

We reviewed patients who underwent ESD (n = 47) or surgery (n = 73) for T1b SESCC at Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from 2009 to 2021. To increase the precision of our results interpretation, subgroups were analyzed according to the depth of tumor invasion and elderly people.

Results

In the ESD and surgery groups, the overall mortality rates were 0/100 and 12.3/100 person years, incidence rates of recurrence were 2.13/100 and 11/100 person years, respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed no significant different in OS, DSS and RFS. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and depth of submucosal invasion were identified as risk factors for cancer recurrence in multivariate analysis. For elderly people, no significant differences were found in OS, DSS and RFS between different treatments.

Conclusion

ESD are related to lower complication rates and shorter hospital stay than surgery in long-term outcomes for patients with pT1b SESCC. But in pT1b-SM2 patients, we still need long-term follow-up.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection versus surgery for T1b esophageal carcinoma: a single-center retrospective study

Introduction

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a preferred treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, only few studies compared long-term survival outcomes of ESD with surgery, especially for T1b SESCC. This study compared the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and complication rates of both, to evaluate the value of ESD in patients with T1b SESCC.

Methods

We reviewed patients who underwent ESD (n = 47) or surgery (n = 73) for T1b SESCC at Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from 2009 to 2021. To increase the precision of our results interpretation, subgroups were analyzed according to the depth of tumor invasion and elderly people.

Results

In the ESD and surgery groups, the overall mortality rates were 0/100 and 12.3/100 person years, incidence rates of recurrence were 2.13/100 and 11/100 person years, respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed no significant different in OS, DSS and RFS. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and depth of submucosal invasion were identified as risk factors for cancer recurrence in multivariate analysis. For elderly people, no significant differences were found in OS, DSS and RFS between different treatments.

Conclusion

ESD are related to lower complication rates and shorter hospital stay than surgery in long-term outcomes for patients with pT1b SESCC. But in pT1b-SM2 patients, we still need long-term follow-up.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection versus surgery for T1b esophageal carcinoma: a single-center retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a preferred treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, only few studies compared long-term survival outcomes of ESD with surgery, especially for T1b SESCC. This study compared the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and complication rates of both, to evaluate the value of ESD in patients with T1b SESCC.

METHODS

We reviewed patients who underwent ESD (n = 47) or surgery (n = 73) for T1b SESCC at Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from 2009 to 2021. To increase the precision of our results interpretation, subgroups were analyzed according to the depth of tumor invasion and elderly people.

RESULTS

In the ESD and surgery groups, the overall mortality rates were 0/100 and 12.3/100 person years, incidence rates of recurrence were 2.13/100 and 11/100 person years, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed no significant different in OS, DSS and RFS. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and depth of submucosal invasion were identified as risk factors for cancer recurrence in multivariate analysis. For elderly people, no significant differences were found in OS, DSS and RFS between different treatments.

CONCLUSION

ESD are related to lower complication rates and shorter hospital stay than surgery in long-term outcomes for patients with pT1b SESCC. But in pT1b-SM2 patients, we still need long-term follow-up.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) outcomes in T1B esophageal cancer: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The role of submucosal endoscopic dissection (ESD) in management of invasive esophageal cancer (EC) remains unclear. In this case series, we evaluate the clinical and technical outcomes of patients who underwent ESD with pathologically staged T1b EC.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients who underwent ESD between December 2016 and April 2023 with pathologically staged T1b EC. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and ESD technical outcomes were analyzed. Patients were followed to determine disease-free survival and tumor recurrence rates.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients with a total of 17 pathologically staged T1b ECs were included in this case series with a median follow-up time of 28 months [range 3-75]. ESD had high en-bloc (100%) and R0 (82.3%) resection rates. 16/17 patients (94.1%) were discharged the same day, and there were no immediate perioperative complications. 4/17 patients (23.5%) had curative ESD resections with no tumor recurrence. Among those with non-curative resections (n = 13), 5 patients had ESD only, 6 had ESD + surgery, and 2 underwent ESD + chemoradiation. In the ESD only group, 2/5 patients (40%) had tumor recurrence. In the ESD + surgery group, one patient died from a surgical complication, and 1/5 (20%) had tumor recurrence at follow-up. There was no tumor recurrence among patients who had ESD + chemoradiation.

CONCLUSION

ESD is safe with high en-bloc and R0 resection rates in T1b EC. Recurrence rates are low but patients need close monitoring. Larger-scale studies are needed to determine the long-term clinical efficacy of ESD in T1b EC.

Defining Pathologic Upstaging in cT1b Esophageal Cancer: Should We Consider Neoadjuvant Therapy?

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NCRT) for cT1b esophageal cancer is not recommended despite the risk of pathologic upstaging with increased depth of penetration. We aimed to (1) define the rate of and factors associated with pathologic upstaging, (2) describe current trends in treatments, and (3) compare overall survival (OS) with and without NCRT for surgically resected cT1b lesions.

METHODS

We used the 2020 National Cancer Database to identify patients with cT1b N0 esophageal cancer with or without pathologic upstaging who underwent removal of their tumor. We built multivariable logistic regression models to assess factors associated with pathologic upstaging. Survival was compared using log-rank analysis and modeled using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regressions.

RESULTS

Out of 1106 patients with cT1b esophageal cancer, 17.3% (N = 191) had pathologic upstaging. A higher tumor grade (P = 0.002), greater tumor size (P < 0.001), and presence of lympho-vascular invasion (P < 0.001) were associated with pathologic upstaging. 8.0% (N = 114) of patients were treated with NCRT. Five-y OS was 49.4% for patients who received NCRT compared to 67.2% for upfront esophagectomy (P < 0.05). Pathologic upstaging was associated with decreased OS (pathologic upstaging 43.7% versus no pathologic upstaging 67.7%) (hazard ratio 2.12 [95% confidence interval, 1.70-2.65; P < 0.001]). Compared to esophagectomy, endoscopic local tumor excision was associated with a decreased OS (hazard ratio 1.50 [95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.89; P = 0.001]).

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologic upstaging of cT1b lesions is associated with decreased OS. Esophagectomy is associated with a survival benefit over endoscopic local tumor excision for these lesions. NCRT is not associated with an increase in OS in cT1b lesions compared to upfront esophagectomy.

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with esophageal varices: Multicenter retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with esophageal varices (EVs) are obscure. We aimed to elucidate the clinical outcomes of ESD for ESCC with EVs in a multicenter, retrospective study.

METHODS

We established a retrospective cohort of 30 patients with ESCC complicating EVs, who underwent ESD at 11 Japanese institutions. Rates of en bloc resection and R0 resection, procedure time, and adverse events were evaluated as indicators of the feasibility and safety of ESD. Additional treatment, recurrence, and metastasis of the lesions were evaluated as indicators of the long-term efficacy of ESD.

RESULTS

Portal hypertension was caused by cirrhosis, of which alcohol was the most common cause. En bloc resection was achieved in 93.3% and R0 resection in 80.0% of the patients. The median procedure time was 92 min. Adverse events included a case of uncontrolled intraoperative bleeding leading to discontinuation of ESD and a case of esophageal stricture due to extensive resection. During the follow-up period of a median for 42 months, a patient with local recurrence and another patient with liver metastasis were observed. One patient died of liver failure after receiving chemoradiotherapy as an additional treatment after ESD. No patient died of ESCC.

CONCLUSION

This multicenter, retrospective cohort study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ESD for ESCC with EVs. Further studies are needed to establish appropriate treatment methods for EVs before ESD and additional treatments for patients with insufficient ESD.

Comparative efficacy and safety between endoscopic submucosal dissection, surgery and definitive chemoradiotherapy in patients with cT1N0M0 esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and surgical resection are the standard of care for cT1N0M0 esophageal cancer (EC), whereas definitive chemoradiotherapy (d-CRT) is a treatment option. Nevertheless, the comparative efficiency and safety of ESD, surgery and d-CRT for cT1N0M0 EC remain unclear.

AIM

To compare the efficiency and safety of ESD, surgery and d-CRT for cT1N0M0 EC.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the hospitalized data of a total of 472 consecutive patients with cT1N0M0 EC treated at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer center between 2017-2019 and followed up until October 30th, 2022. We analyzed demographic, medical recorded, histopathologic characteristics, imaging and endoscopic, and follow-up data. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to analyze the difference of survival outcome by treatments. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to minimize potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent ESD (n = 99) or surgery (n = 220) or d-CRT (n = 16) at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from 2017 to 2019. The median follow-up time for the ESD group, the surgery group, and the d-CRT group was 42.0 mo (95%CI: 35.0-60.2), 45.0 mo (95%CI: 34.0-61.75) and 32.5 mo (95%CI: 28.3-40.0), respectively. After adjusting for background factors using IPTW, the highest 3-year overall survival (OS) rate and 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate were observed in the ESD group (3-year OS: 99.7% and 94.7% and 79.1%; and 3-year RFS: 98.3%, 87.4% and 79.1%, in the ESD, surgical, and d-CRT groups, respectively). There was no difference of severe complications occurring between the three groups (P ≥ 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that treatment method, histology and depth of infiltration were independently associated with OS and RFS.

CONCLUSION

For cT1N0M0 EC, ESD had better long-term survival and lower hospitalization costs than those who underwent d-CRT and surgery, with a similar rate of severe complications occurring.

Similar survival after endoscopic submucosal dissection and esophagectomy in early esophageal cancer and synchronous or metachronous head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

Early-stage esophageal cancer is treated using endoscopic submucosal dissection and esophagectomy. Field cancerization in patients with early-stage esophageal cancer affects treatment outcomes and causes synchronous or metachronous head and neck cancers. We hypothesized that esophagectomy could provide better overall and relapse-free survivals in patients with esophageal cancer and synchronous or metachronous head and neck cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients with early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and synchronous or metachronous head and neck cancers. We separated the patients into endoscopic submucosal dissection and esophagectomy groups to compare overall and relapse-free survivals.

RESULTS

The study included 106 patients, 25 of whom underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection and 81 underwent esophagectomy. Overall and relapse-free survivals did not show significant differences between the two groups for both synchronous and metachronous head and neck cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection could provide similar overall and relapse-free survivals in patients with esophageal cancer and synchronous or metachronous head and neck cancer.

Predictive factors for esophageal stenosis in patients receiving prophylactic steroid therapy after endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Methods to prevent esophageal stenosis (ES) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have received increasing attention. Although steroid administration is a prophylactic treatment, the risk factors for ES during prophylactic steroid therapy remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the risk factors for refractory ES in patients administered prophylactic steroids after ESD for ESCC.

METHODS

Among 795 patients with ESCC (854 lesions), 180 patients (211 lesions) administered local triamcinolone acetonide (TrA) and/or oral prednisolone were recruited for this study. We compared the total number of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) procedures performed for post-ESD ES and clinical findings (tumor size, ESD history or chemoradiation therapy [CRT], entire circumferential resection, muscle layer damage, supplemental oral prednisolone administration, EBD with TrA injection, and additional CRT) between patients with refractory and non-refractory ES. EBD was continued until dysphagia resolved. We categorized cases requiring ≥ 8 EBD procedures as refractory postoperative stenosis and divided the lesions into two groups.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that factors such as ESD history, CRT history, tumor size, and entire circumferential resection were independently associated with the development of refractory ES. The withdrawal rates of EBD at 3 years were 96.1% (52/53) and 58.5% (39/59) in the non-refractory and refractory groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that entire circumferential resection and CRT history are risk factors for refractory post-ESD ES in ESCC, even with prophylactic steroid administration.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline on endoscopic submucosal dissection for the management of early esophageal and gastric cancers: methodology and review of evidence

This document from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) provides a full description of the methodology used in the review of the evidence used to inform the final guidance outlined in the accompanying Summary and Recommendations document regarding the role of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the management of early esophageal and gastric cancers. This guideline used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework and specifically addresses the role of ESD versus EMR and/or surgery, where applicable, for the management of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), and gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) and their corresponding precursor lesions. For ESCC, the ASGE suggests ESD over EMR for patients with early-stage, well-differentiated, nonulcerated cancer >15 mm, whereas in patients with similar lesions ≤15 mm, the ASGE suggests either ESD or EMR. The ASGE suggests against surgery for such patients with ESCC, whenever possible. For EAC, the ASGE suggests ESD over EMR for patients with early-stage, well-differentiated, nonulcerated cancer >20 mm, whereas in patients with similar lesions measuring ≤20 mm, the ASGE suggests either ESD or EMR. For GAC, the ASGE suggests ESD over EMR for patients with early-stage, well or moderately differentiated, nonulcerated intestinal type cancer measuring 20 to 30 mm, whereas for patients with similar lesions <20 mm, the ASGE suggests either ESD or EMR. The ASGE suggests against surgery for patients with such lesions measuring ≤30 mm, whereas for lesions that are poorly differentiated, regardless of size, the ASGE suggests surgical evaluation over endosic approaches.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline on endoscopic submucosal dissection for the management of early esophageal and gastric cancers: summary and recommendations

This clinical practice guideline from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) provides an evidence-based summary and recommendations regarding the role of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the management of early esophageal and gastric cancers. It is accompanied by the document subtitled "Methodology and Review of Evidence," which provides a detailed account of the methodology used for the evidence review. This guideline was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework and specifically addresses the role of ESD versus EMR and/or surgery, where applicable, for the management of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), and gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) and their corresponding precursor lesions. For ESCC, the ASGE suggests ESD over EMR for patients with early-stage, well-differentiated, nonulcerated cancer >15 mm, whereas in patients with similar lesions ≤15 mm, the ASGE suggests either ESD or EMR. The ASGE suggests against surgery for such patients with ESCC, whenever possible. For EAC, the ASGE suggests ESD over EMR for patients with early-stage, well-differentiated, nonulcerated cancer >20 mm, whereas in patients with similar lesions measuring ≤20 mm, the ASGE suggests either ESD or EMR. For GAC, the ASGE suggests ESD over EMR for patients with early-stage, well- or moderately differentiated, nonulcerated intestinal type cancer measuring 20 to 30 mm, whereas for patients with similar lesions <20 mm, the ASGE suggests either ESD or EMR. The ASGE suggests against surgery for patients with such lesions measuring ≤30 mm, whereas for lesions that are poorly differentiated, regardless of size, we suggest surgical evaluation over endoscopic approaches.

Efficacy of endoscopic therapy for T1b esophageal cancer and construction of prognosis prediction model: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of endoscopic therapy on the long-term survival outcomes of T1b oesophageal cancer (EC) is unclear, this study was designed to clarify the survival outcomes of endoscopic therapy and to construct a model for predicting the prognosis in T1b EC patients.

METHODS

This study was performed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2017 of patients with T1bN0M0 EC. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between endoscopic therapy group, esophagectomy group and chemoradiotherapy group, respectively. Stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting was used as the main analysis method. The propensity score matching method and an independent dataset from our hospital were used as sensitivity analysis. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (Lasso) was employed to sift variables. A prognostic model was then established and was verified in two external validation cohorts.

RESULTS

The unadjusted 5-year CSS was 69.5% (95% CI, 61.5-77.5) for endoscopic therapy, 75.0% (95% CI, 71.5-78.5) for esophagectomy and 42.4% (95% CI, 31.0-53.8) for chemoradiotherapy. After stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting adjustment, CSS and OS were similar in endoscopic therapy and esophagectomy groups ( P =0.32, P =0.83), while the CSS and OS of chemoradiotherapy patients were inferior to endoscopic therapy patients ( P <0.01, P <0.01). Age, histology, grade, tumour size, and treatment were selected to build the prediction model. The area under the curve of receiver operating characteristics of 1, 3, and 5 years in the validation cohort 1 were 0.631, 0.618, 0.638, and 0.733, 0.683, 0.768 in the validation cohort 2. The calibration plots also demonstrated the consistency of predicted and actual values in the two external validation cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic therapy achieved comparable long-term survival outcomes to esophagectomy for T1b EC patients. The prediction model developed performed well in calculating the OS of patients with T1b EC.

Self-help inflatable balloon versus autologous skin-grafting surgery for preventing esophageal stricture after complete circular endoscopic submucosal dissection: a propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

The self-help inflatable balloon (SHIB) and autologous skin-grafting surgery (ASGS) were used to prevent stricture after esophageal complete circular endoscopic submucosal dissection (cESD) with promising clinical results. We aim to evaluate which method is more suitable for patients who underwent esophageal cESD.

METHODS

From October 2017 to July 2021, patients whose mucosal defect length were between 30 and 100 mm after esophageal cESD were retrospectively reviewed from two prospective studies. They were enrolled once SHIB or ASGS was used as preventive methods to prevent stricture. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups. Comparisons were made between the two groups, including operation time, the longitudinal length of ulceration, fasting time, hospitalization days, and the incidence of stricture.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The numbers of patients in SHIB group and ASGS group were 25 and 16, respectively. Fifteen patients in each group were selected after performing PSM. The basic baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The stricture rates were 20% (3/15) in SHIB group and 40% (6/15) in ASGS group, while the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.427). The SHIB group showed significantly shorter operation time, shorter hospitalization days, lower cost, and longer removing balloon/stent time compared with ASGS group (p < 0.001). Comparison of relevant stricture factors between the stricture group and non-stricture group revealed that longer longitudinal length of ulceration (> 60 mm) accounted for a higher proportion in stricture groups (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Both the SHIB and ASGS had high efficacy and safety in preventing strictures in patients with mucosal defects no longer than 100 mm in length after esophageal cESD. The longitudinal length of ulceration > 60 mm was the independent factor for predicting stricture.

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis deciphers key transitional signatures associated with oncogenic evolution in human intramucosal oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The early diagnosis and intervention of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are particularly important because of the lack of effective therapies and poor prognosis. Comprehensive research on early ESCC at the single-cell level is rare due to the need for fresh and high-quality specimens obtained from ESD. This study aims to systematically describe the cellular atlas of human intramucosal ESCC.

METHODS

Five paired samples of intramucosal ESCC, para-ESCC oesophageal tissues from endoscopically resected specimens and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were adopted for scRNA-seq analysis. Computational pipeline scMetabolism was applied to quantify the metabolic diversity of single cells.

RESULTS

A total of 164 715 cells were profiled. Epithelial cells exhibited high intra-tumoural heterogeneity and two evolutionary trajectories during ESCC tumorigenesis initiated from proliferative cells, and then through an intermediate state, to two different terminal states of normally differentiated epithelial cells or malignant cells, respectively. The abundance of CD8+ TEX s, Tregs and PD1+ CD4+ T cells suggested an exhausted and suppressive immune microenvironment. Several genes in immune cells, such as CXCL13, CXCR5 and PADI4, were identified as new biomarkers for poor prognosis. A new subcluster of malignant cells associated with metastasis and angiogenesis that appeared at an early stage compared with progressive ESCC was also identified in this study. Intercellular interaction analysis based on ligand-receptor pairs revealed the subcluster of malignant cells interacting with CAFs via the MDK-NCL pathway, which was verified by cell proliferation assay and IHC. This indicates that the interaction may be an important hallmark in the early change of tumour microenvironment and serves as a sign of CAF activation to stimulate downstream pathways for facilitating tumour invasion.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the changes of cell subsets and transcriptional levels in human intramucosal ESCC, which may provide unique insights into the development of novel biomarkers and potential intervention strategies.

A matched cohort comparison of endoscopic resection, chemoradiation and esophagectomy in the treatment of early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of endoscopic resection in early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has not been defined.

METHODS

We queried the National Cancer Database to identify patients presenting with cT1N0M0 esophageal squamous cell cancer between 2004 and 2017. Transitive match methods were used to 1:1:1 propensity match patients undergoing endoscopic resection to patients undergoing esophagectomy and those undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy. Kaplan Meier method was used to compare 5-year overall survival profiles for matched cohorts.

RESULTS

301 patients (19%) underwent endoscopic resection; 497 (32%) esophagectomy; 767 (49%) chemoradiation. On comparison of matched cohorts, patients undergoing chemoradiation demonstrated lower rates of survival than those undergoing esophagectomy (32% vs. 59%, p < 0.0001) while those undergoing endoscopic resection demonstrated rates comparable to patients undergoing esophagectomy (53% vs. 59%, p = 0.77).

CONCLUSIONS

For cT1N0M0 esophageal squamous cell cancer, endoscopic resection is associated with rates of survival similar to those following esophagectomy and better than those following definitive chemoradiation.

Synchronous Head and Neck Cancer and Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Neoplasm: Endoscopic Treatment or No Treatment for the Superficial Esophageal Neoplasm

There are no studies on treating synchronous head and neck cancer (HNC) and superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasm (SESCN). We aimed to report the outcomes of endoscopic resection (ER) and no treatment (NT) of SESCN in patients with synchronous HNC and SESCN (SHNSESCN). This retrospective study included 47 patients with SHNSESCN. Treatment for SESCN was ER (n = 30) or NT (n = 17). The ER group had significantly lower Charlson comorbidity index scores and a higher proportion of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) scores ≤1. The location and stage of the two tumors did not differ significantly between the groups. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates of the ER group were significantly better than those in the NT group. Treatment-related morbidity and mortality were not significantly different between the two groups. In the subgroup analysis of synchronous advanced HNC and SESCN, ER for SESCN also had a higher OS rate. Multivariate analysis showed that ECOG PS score and HNC disease progression were the two independent indicators of OS. In conclusion, treatment of SESCN with ER is the recommended approach for patients with SHNSESCN, but further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this.

Comparison of LNM and survival in T1 stage esophageal cancer patients based on histological classification: A large population-based study

Limited evidence and contradictory results have been reported regarding the impact of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) classification on lymph node metastasis (LNM) and prognosis in esophageal cancer (EC). We aimed to compare 2 histology types in terms of LNM and prognosis using a comprehensive statistical analysis of a large population. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to extract patient information. Univariate and multivariate logistic or Cox regression, a multivariate competing risk model and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to explore the association between LNM or survival and the 2 histology types. Information for 4764 patients, including 1712 SCC and 3052 AC patients, was extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a correlation between LNM and histology (odds ratio [OR] = 0.654, P = .037). We found that patients with AC had a better prognosis than SCC patients through both the multivariate Cox regression (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.866) and the multivariate competing risk model (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 0.704). However, no positive relation was found between LNM and histology type (P = .844) based on propensity score matching (PSM), and the prognosis remained poorer for the patients with SCC (P < .001). T1-stage EC with a histology of SCC may have a comparable risk of LNM as the AC type, while SCC has a poorer prognosis than the AC type.

Interventional gastroenterology in oncology

Cancer is one of the foremost health problems worldwide and is among the leading causes of death in the United States. Gastrointestinal tract cancers account for almost one third of the cancer-related mortality globally, making it one of the deadliest groups of cancers. Early diagnosis and prompt management are key to preventing cancer-related morbidity and mortality. With advancements in technology and endoscopic techniques, endoscopy has become the core in diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal tract cancers. In this extensive review, the authors discuss the role endoscopy plays in early detection, diagnosis, and management of esophageal, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, ampullary, biliary tract, and small intestinal cancers.

Outcomes for endoscopic submucosal dissection of pathologically staged T1b esophageal cancer: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for T1b esophageal cancer (EC) and its recurrence rates remain unclear in the West. Using a multicenter cohort, we evaluated technical outcomes and recurrence rates of ESD in the treatment of pathologically staged T1b EC.

METHODS

We included patients who underwent ESD of T1b EC at 7 academic tertiary referral centers in the United States (n = 6) and Brazil (n = 1). We analyzed demographic, procedural, and histopathologic characteristics and follow-up data. Time-to-event analysis was performed to evaluate recurrence rates.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients with pathologically staged T1b EC after ESD were included in the study. A preprocedure staging EUS was available in 54 patients and was Tis/T1a in 27 patients (50%) and T1b in 27 patients (50%). En-bloc resection rate was 92.4% (61/66) and R0 resection rate was 54.5% (36/66). Forty-nine of 66 patients (74.2%) did not undergo surgery immediately after resection and went on to surveillance. Ten patients had ESD resection within the curative criteria, and no recurrences were seen in a 13-month (range, 3-18.5) follow-up period in these patients. Ten of 39 patients (25.6%) with noncurative resections had residual/recurrent disease. Of the 10 patients with noncurative resection, local recurrence alone was seen in 5 patients (12.8%) and metastatic recurrence in 5 patients (12.8%). On univariate analysis, R1 resection had a higher risk of recurrent disease (hazard ratio, 6.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-30.36; P = .023).

CONCLUSIONS

EUS staging of T1b EC has poor accuracy, and a staging ESD should be considered in these patients. ESD R0 resection rates were low in T1b EC, and R1 resection was associated with recurrent disease. Patients with noncurative ESD resection of T1b EC who cannot undergo surgery should be surveyed closely, because recurrent disease was seen in 25% of these patients.

Clinical benefit of tunnel endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal squamous cancer: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely accepted as a primary treatment modality for dysplastic and early cancerous lesions of the GI tract. However, prolonged procedure time and life-threatening adverse events remain obstacles to the successful treatment of esophageal cancer. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of tunnel ESD (T-ESD) with conventional ESD (C-ESD) for superficial esophageal squamous neoplasms.

METHODS

A prospective, multicenter trial was conducted at 5 hospitals in China. Patients with esophageal squamous neoplasms were enrolled and randomly assigned to undergo C-ESD or T-ESD. Randomization was stratified by tumor location and circumference extent (<1/2 or ≥1/2). The primary endpoint was procedure time.

RESULTS

Between January and July 2018, 160 patients were enrolled. One hundred fifty-two patients (76 in the C-ESD group and 76 in the T-ESD group) were included in the final analysis. The median procedure time was 47.3 minutes (interquartile range, 31.7-81.3) for C-ESD and 40.0 minutes (interquartile range, 30.0-60.0) for T-ESD (P = .095). However, T-ESD specifically reduced the median procedure time 34.5% (29.5 minutes) compared with C-ESD for lesions ≥1/2 circumference (P < .001). Among the multiple secondary outcomes, muscular injury was less frequent in the T-ESD group compared with the C-ESD group (18.4% vs 38.2%, P = .007), but complete healing of artificial mucosal defect in 1-month follow-up was more common in the T-ESD group than the C-ESD group (95.9% vs 84.7%, P =.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that T-ESD results in shorter procedure time, specifically for lesions ≥1/2 circumference of the esophagus. In addition, T-ESD has a better safety profile indicated by less frequent muscular injury and improved healing of artificial mucosal defects caused by ESD procedures. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03404921.).

Global research trend of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from 2012 to 2022: a bibliometric analysis

Background

Esophageal cancer is currently a worldwide health problem. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common pathological type of esophageal cancer, and its treatment methods and therapeutic effects are relatively limited, so it also requires the unremitting efforts of basic and clinical researchers to overcome difficulties. Bibliometric analysis can help sort out global research trends and hotspots, but no bibliometric analysis of ESCC has been reported. Therefore, we performed this study to analyze the global trends and potential hotspots of ESCC to indicate future research directions.

Methods

The articles related to ESCC research were collected from the WoS Core Collection SCI-EXPANDED database from 2012 to 2022. The article information was analyzed by BiblioShiny and VOSviewer. Results were presented as bar and network visualization to describe the current trend of ESCC research. This was a retrospective study evaluating data that is publicly available online and at libraries and institutional review board approval, as such, was not demanded.

Results

The global publication trend illustrated a strong growth in the ESCC research field (annual growth rate of 11.4%) and the citation trend increased from an average of 2.98 citations per article per year in 2012 to an average of 3.84 citations per article per year in 2019. With the corresponding author’s country, China contributed the largest number (5,063 articles). The scholars from China and USA had the most collaboration (427 times). China had the largest number of institutions conducting ESCC research. Oncotarget, Oncology Letters, and Annals of Surgical Oncology published the most articles, while Cancer Research, International Journal of Cancer, and Journal of Clinical Oncology had the most local citations. Furthermore, the clinical research hotspots involved in the treatment of ESCC and the basic research hotspots involved in tumor malignant phenotype have received the most attention in recent years.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the research of ESCC has developed rapidly in recent years, and the academic institutions in China have played a decisive role in this field. The global research purpose is to find effective therapies against ESCC, so some emerging hotspots related to ESCC treatment, such as endoscopic therapy, chemoradiotherapy, immunotherapy, tumor microenvironment, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition will receive more attention and develop rapidly in the future.

Propensity-score matched analysis to evaluate efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal cancer in gastrectomized patients

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive treatment option for superficial esophageal cancer (SEC) with high rates of complete resection. However, limited research exists on the efficacy of ESD for SEC in gastrectomized patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ESD for SEC in gastrectomized patients. We included 318 patients of SEC treated at our institution between April 2005 and October 2021. To minimize bias between the gastrectomized and non-gastrectomized groups, we conducted a propensity-score matched analysis and compared the ESD outcomes for SEC of the two groups. Of the 318 patients included in the study, 48 and 270 patients were in the gastrectomized and non-gastrectomized groups, respectively. After 1:2 propensity-score matching, we matched 44 patients in the gastrectomized group to 88 patients in the non-gastrectomized group, and found no significant differences in the baseline clinicopathological characteristics. Regarding the ESD outcomes, there were no significant differences in the complete resection rate, procedure time, hospitalized period, and recurrence rates between the two groups. Multivariate analysis also cofirmed that the history of gastrectomy was not a risk factor of the difficult case of esophageal ESD. In conclusion, history of gastrectomy might not negatively affect the ESD outcomes of SECs.

Repeat endoscopic submucosal dissection as salvage treatment for local recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after initial endoscopic submucosal dissection

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Local recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after endoscopic resection does not have an established treatment. The efficacy and safety of repeat endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for recurrent ESCC were determined in the study.

METHODS

Forty-three consecutive patients with 45 locally recurrent superficial ESCC lesions undergoing repeat ESD and 909 first ESD lesions for propensity score matching (PSM) at Zhongshan Hospital between January 2011 and January 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. After PSM (1:2), operation-related parameters were compared between repeat ESD and first ESD. In the repeat ESD group, the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used for identification of risk factors for local recurrence after repeat ESD.

RESULTS

As compared with propensity score-matched first ESD, rates of complete resection (86.7% vs 97.8%, P = .02) and curative resection (86.7% vs 96.7%, P = .06) were lower and procedure duration (54.8 ± 21.7 minutes vs 46.2 ± 20.6 minutes, P = .67) and hospital stay (4.3 ± 1.8 days vs 2.9 ± 1.4 days, P = .25) were longer in the repeat ESD group. The en-bloc resection rate (93.3% vs 98.8%, P > .11) remained comparable. Adverse events including bleeding (4.4% vs 0%, P = .11), perforation (.0% vs .0%, P > .99), and stricture (6.7% vs 2.2%, P = .33) presented with no difference. The 5-year overall survival rate and recurrence-free survival rate for repeat ESD was 100% and 86.0%, respectively. Multiplicity was significantly associated with recurrence after repeat ESD (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat esophageal ESD showed favorable short- and long-term outcomes and thus provides an alternative choice for recurrent superficial ESCC.

Selection of minimally invasive surgical approaches for treating esophageal cancer

Minimally invasive esophagectomy has gradually been accepted as an active treatment option for surgery of esophageal cancer. However, there is no consensus about how to perform the procedures in the thoracic and abdominal phase including anastomosis in the neck (McKeown) or chest (Ivor Lewis), VATS, robotic‐assisted or reduced port approaches or various endoscopic abrasion techniques. Further studies to investigate the roles of these novel techniques are required to treat the various patient populations.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial gastrointestinal lesions: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline - Update 2022

ESGE recommends that the evaluation of superficial gastrointestinal (GI) lesions should be made by an experienced endoscopist, using high definition white-light and chromoendoscopy (virtual or dye-based).ESGE does not recommend routine performance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET)-CT prior to endoscopic resection.ESGE recommends endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) as the treatment of choice for most superficial esophageal squamous cell and superficial gastric lesions.For Barrett's esophagus (BE)-associated lesions, ESGE suggests the use of ESD for lesions suspicious of submucosal invasion (Paris type 0-Is, 0-IIc), for malignant lesions > 20 mm, and for lesions in scarred/fibrotic areas.ESGE does not recommend routine use of ESD for duodenal or small-bowel lesions.ESGE suggests that ESD should be considered for en bloc resection of colorectal (but particularly rectal) lesions with suspicion of limited submucosal invasion (demarcated depressed area with irregular surface pattern or a large protruding or bulky component, particularly if the lesions are larger than 20 mm) or for lesions that otherwise cannot be completely removed by snare-based techniques.ESGE recommends that an en bloc R0 resection of a superficial GI lesion with histology no more advanced than intramucosal cancer (no more than m2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma), well to moderately differentiated, with no lymphovascular invasion or ulceration, should be considered a very low risk (curative) resection, and no further staging procedure or treatment is generally recommended.ESGE recommends that the following should be considered to be a low risk (curative) resection and no further treatment is generally recommended: an en bloc R0 resection of a superficial GI lesion with superficial submucosal invasion (sm1), that is well to moderately differentiated, with no lymphovascular invasion, of size ≤ 20 mm for an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or ≤ 30 mm for a stomach lesion or of any size for a BE-related or colorectal lesion, and with no lymphovascular invasion, and no budding grade 2 or 3 for colorectal lesions.ESGE recommends that, after an endoscopically complete resection, if there is a positive horizontal margin or if resection is piecemeal, but there is no submucosal invasion and no other high risk criteria are met, this should be considered a local-risk resection and endoscopic surveillance or re-treatment is recommended rather than surgery or other additional treatment.ESGE recommends that when there is a diagnosis of lymphovascular invasion, or deeper infiltration than sm1, or positive vertical margins, or undifferentiated tumor, or, for colorectal lesions, budding grade 2 or 3, this should be considered a high risk (noncurative) resection, and complete staging and strong consideration for additional treatments should be considered on an individual basis in a multidisciplinary discussion.ESGE recommends scheduled endoscopic surveillance with high definition white-light and chromoendoscopy (virtual or dye-based) with biopsies of only the suspicious areas after a curative ESD.

Comparison of Long-Term Survival Between cT1N0 Stage Esophageal Cancer Patients Receiving Endoscopic Dissection and Esophagectomy: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Endoscopic dissection (ED) shows relatively high clinical value in early esophageal cancer (cT1N0) such as lower incidence of postoperative complications and hospitalization costs and enhanced recovery. However, whether ED still has certain advantages over esophagectomy in terms of long-term survival remains unclear.

Purpose

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the long-term outcomes of ED and surgery in the treatment of cT1N0 esophageal cancer.

Methods

Several electronic databases including the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to April 7, 2022 for studies which compared the overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) of cT1N0 esophageal cancer patients receiving the ED or esophagectomy. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined and all statistical analysis was conducted through STATA 15.0 software.

Results

A total of 12 studies involving 3,732 patients were enrolled. No significant difference in the OS between ED and surgery groups was observed (HR = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.59–1.04, p = 0.089). However, the DSS of the ED group was significantly longer than that of the surgery group (HR = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.39–0.82, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

In overall, the current evidence manifested that the long-term survival of cT1N0 esophageal cancer patients undergoing ED was not worse than that of patients undergoing esophagectomy. ED may be considered as the primary treatment for cT1N0 esophageal carcinoma patients.

Best additional management after non-curative endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic resection (ER) is an accepted first-line treatment for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but when curative resection is not achieved, further treatment is not standardised. We aimed at evaluating outcomes of management strategies (esophagectomy, chemoradiotherapy/radiotherapy (CRT/RT) or follow-up (FUP)) after a non-curative ESCC ER.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed evaluating outcomes of different management strategies after ESCC submitted to primary ER (T1a/T1b), without curative criteria (R1/Rx, T1a-m3/T1b, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) or poor differentiation). Primary outcomes included recurrence, overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Secondary outcomes consisted of treatment-related adverse events.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were included for qualitative analysis (16 observational and 1 randomized controlled trial) including 788 patients with ESCC submitted to ER, managed by additional CRT/RT (n = 530), surgery (n = 98) or FUP (n = 160). Eight studies suited quantitative analysis. Patients only followed up after ER experienced recurrence rates of 0-36.4% (OR 3.6 (95%CI 1.06-12.20) vs further treatments). When submitted to CRT/RT following non-curative ER, recurrence was observed in 0-27.2% (OR 8.00 (95%CI 1.74-36.80) whereas after surgery no recurrence was noticeable. Reported 5 y-OS after CRT/RT for non-curative ER ranged among 75-100% whereas, for those offered surgeries, 5 y-OS was 89.5%. OS ranged between 54.5% and 100% after FUP. CRT/RT and surgery-related adverse events ranged from 0% to 32% and 14% to 28.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional treatment should be provided in ESCC after non-curative ER. Adjuvant esophagectomy might be the preferred treatment to medically fit patients with high-risk features (namely LVI). Properly designed trials assessing the role of CRT/RT are needed to manage these patients.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection vs. Surgery for Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Esophageal cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. Only one systematic review and meta-analysis has attempted to compare the morbidity and mortality outcomes in superficial esophageal squamous cancer patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and esophagectomy (ESO), but with several limitations. This study aimed at comparing the outcomes of hospital stay duration, procedure duration, recurrence, complications, all-cause mortality, short-term survival, and long-term survival in patients with superficial esophageal squamous cancer undergoing ESD and ESO.

Methods

Six databases (Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and MEDLINE) were systematically searched according to PRISMA guidelines for eligible studies. With the available literature, we conducted a random-effect meta-analysis to evaluate weighted effect size and odds ratios to determine the comparative morbidity and mortality outcomes between patients with superficial esophageal squamous cancer undergoing ESD and ESO.

Results

We found 16 eligible studies detailing 5,213 and 8,049 age- and sex-matched patients undergoing ESD and ESO, respectively. Meta-analysis revealed reduced hospital stay (Hedge’s g: -1.22) and procedure duration (g: -4.54) for patients undergoing ESD. We also observed significantly reduced risks for complications (odds ratio: 0.35) and all-cause mortality (OR: 0.56) in patients undergoing ESD. Differences in recurrence (OR: 0.95), short-term outcomes (OR: 1.10), and long-term survival (OR: 0.81) outcomes were not significantly different between ESD and ESO.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis provides evidence concerning the improved morbidity and mortality outcomes in superficial esophageal squamous cancer patients undergoing ESD as compared to ESO. The findings herein may aid in developing clinical awareness and assisting best practice guideline development for managing superficial esophageal squamous cancer.

Registration

PROSPERO, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#searchadvanced, CRD42021286212.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Versus Radical Surgery for T1 Superficial Esophageal Cell Carcinoma: a Subgroup Survival Analysis

BACKGROUND

With the continuous advent of magnifying endoscopy, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has gradually become the mainstream treatment for early esophageal cancer. We aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with T1 superficial esophageal cell carcinoma treated with ESD vs. esophagectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent ESD or radical surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. The purpose of propensity score matching is to reduce selection bias. Precise subgroup analysis according to depth of invasion was performed to reduce the influence of confounding factors.

RESULT

We reviewed patients who underwent ESD (n = 117) or radical surgery (n = 217) at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from 2010 to 2018. The OS rate and progression-free survival rate in the ESD group were better than those in the surgery group (OS, P = 0.002. PFS, P = 0.004). The ESD group had a lower early adverse event rate (74.6% vs. 91%, P = 0.012), shorter hospital stays (median 10 days vs. 18 days, P < 0.001), and lower hospitalization costs (median 15,455 vs. 62,376 RMB, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis found that the treatment method was an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients with superficial esophageal cancer, and the death risk of patients in the ESD group was 0.377 times that of the radical surgery group (HR = 0.377, P = 0.023). We conducted a subgroup analysis of patients again according to the depth of invasion; 37 pairs of patients were included in the T1a stage, and 19 pairs of patients were included in the T1b stage. In T1a and T1b patients, the difference in OS rate and PFS rate between the two treatments was statistically significant (T1a, OS, P = 0.002, PFS, P = 0.004; T1b, OS, P = 0.019, PFS, P = 0.022), and the OS rates in the ESD group were better than those in the radical surgery group.

CONCLUSION

For patients with T1b superficial esophageal cancer, ESD has a longer overall survival and progression-free survival compared with radical surgery. These results support ESD as the preferred treatment for stage T1b superficial esophageal cancer.

Endoscopic resection versus esophagectomy for early esophageal cancer: a meta-analysis

Background

Esophagectomy is the standard treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thus, endoscopic resection is increasingly used as an alternative option. However, the literature is inconsistent regarding the efficacy of these treatments. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of these two treatments.

Methods

A systematic electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed for studies comparing endoscopic resection and surgery for early-stage esophageal cancer. The overall survival, tumor recurrence, major adverse events, procedure-related mortality, and R0 resection rates were investigated. Forest plots were constructed based on the random-effects model.

Results

We found 15 studies involving 2,467 and 2,264 patients who underwent endoscopic resection and surgery, respectively. The meta-analysis showed that patients undergoing endoscopic resection had significantly fewer major adverse events (relative risk, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.64) and a lower procedure-related mortality rate (relative risk, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.10–0.73) than those undergoing surgery. The number of postprocedural stricture events did not significantly differ between the two treatments (relative risk, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.53–1.49). Endoscopic resection was associated with higher recurrence rates (relative risk, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–2.89) and lower R0 resection rates (relative risk, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–0.98) than surgery. There may be some advantage conferred by esophagectomy in the long-term survival outcomes (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.43).

Discussion

Endoscopic resection is a minimally invasive and safe treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer. However, esophagectomy may be associated with better long-term survival.

Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer: Present Status and Future Perspectives

This review provides information regarding the preoperative examinations, indications for endoscopic resection (ER), and curability assessment in subjects with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is a more sensitive modality for detecting esophageal cancer than conventional observation, and esophageal observation using NBI is thus recommended for the detection of superficial esophageal cancer. It is also important to adjust the volume of air in the esophagus during observation. Workup by non-magnifying followed by magnifying endoscopy is a common process for diagnosing the invasion depth of superficial esophageal SCCs in Japan. Endoscopic ultrasonography carries a risk of overdiagnosis, and its routine use is therefore not recommended. The Japanese endoscopic submucosal dissection/endoscopic mucosal resection guidelines for esophageal cancer considered the indications for ER based on the results of studies focusing on clinical MM/SM1 cancers, and concluded that clinical MM/SM1 carcinomas, except circumferential carcinoma, were an indication for ER. The curative effect of ER should be assessed based on histologic examination of the resected specimens. ER should be conducted based on a thorough understanding of the preoperative diagnosis, indication, curability, and additional treatment of esophageal SCC.

cT1N0M0 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Invades the Muscularis Mucosa or Submucosa: Comparison of the Results of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Esophagectomy

Simple Summary

Esophagectomy has been the standard treatment for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) that invades the muscularis mucosa or submucosa. This retrospective study aimed to assess the effects of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) combined with selective adjuvant chemoradiotherapy on these SESCCs by comparing the results of esophagectomy. We found no significant differences in overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free survival between the two groups. In the ESD group, the procedure time, overall complication rates, and length of hospital stay were significantly reduced, but the rate of metachronous tumor recurrence was significantly increased. Therefore, ESD combined with selective adjuvant chemoradiotherapy can be an alternative treatment to esophagectomy for SESCC invading the muscularis mucosa or submucosa.

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) combined with selective adjuvant chemoradiotherapy may be a new treatment option for cT1N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) invading muscularis mucosa or submucosa (pT1a-M3/pT1b). We aim to report the effectiveness of this treatment by comparing the results of esophagectomy. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 72 patients with pT1a-M3/pT1b ESCC who received ESD combined with selective adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (n = 40) and esophagectomy (n = 32). The main outcome comparison was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes were treatment-related events, including operation time, complication rate, and length of hospital stay. Disease-specific survival (DSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were also evaluated. Results: There were no significant differences in the rates of OS, DSS, and PFS between the two groups (median follow-up time: 49.2 months vs. 50.9 months); these were also the same in the subgroup analysis of pT1b ESCC patients. In the ESD group, the procedure time, overall complication rates, and length of hospital stay were significantly reduced. However, the metachronous recurrence rate was significantly higher. In a multivariate analysis, tumor depth and R0 resection were the independent factors associated with OS. Conclusions: ESD combined with selective adjuvant chemoradiotherapy can be an alternative treatment to esophagectomy for cT1N0M0 ESCC invading muscularis mucosa or submucosa.

Early Esophageal Cancer: What the Gastroenterologist Needs to Know

Endoscopic findings in early esophageal cancer are often subtle and require careful inspection and meticulous endoscopic examination. When dysplasia is suspected, we recommend performing 1 or 2 targeted biopsies of the abnormal area and review with a pathologist specialized in evaluating gastrointestinal diseases. In the case of adenocarcinoma, after resection of any visible cancer, residual Barrett's can be treated by ablation. Endoscopic resection can offer the opportunity for patients to avoid surgery. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal management of circumferential and near-circumferential lesions as well as tools and techniques to facilitate the performance of endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection.

The Influence of Different Treatment Strategies on the Long-Term Prognosis of T1 Stage Esophageal Cancer Patients

Objective

To compare the long-term prognosis effects of non-esophagectomy and esophagectomy on patients with T1 stage esophageal cancer.

Methods

All esophageal cancer patients in the study were included from the National Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2005-2015. These patients were classified into non-esophagectomy group and esophagectomy group according to therapy methods and were compared in terms of esophagus cancer specific survival (ECSS) and overall survival (OS) rates.

Results

A total of 591 patients with T1 stage esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study, including 212 non-esophagectomy patients and 111 esophagectomy patients in the T1a subgroup and 37 non-esophagectomy patients and 140 esophagectomy patients in the T1b subgroup. In all T1 stage esophageal cancer patients, there was no difference in the effect of non-esophagectomy and esophagectomy on postoperative OS, but postoperative ECSS in patients treated with non-esophagectomy was significantly better than those treated with esophagectomy. Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that the risk factors affecting ECSS included race, primary site, tumor size, grade, and AJCC stage but factors affecting OS only include tumor size, grade, and AJCC stage in T1 stage patients. In the subgroup analysis, there was no difference in either ECSS or OS between the non-esophagectomy group and the esophagectomy group in T1a patients. However, in T1b patients, the OS after esophagectomy was considerably better than that of non-esophagectomy.

Conclusions

Non-esophagectomy, including a variety of non-invasive procedures, is a safe and available option for patients with T1a stage esophageal cancer. For some T1b esophageal cancer patients, esophagectomy cannot be replaced at present due to its diagnostic and therapeutic effect on lymph node metastasis.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Versus Surgery for Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Survival Analysis

INTRODUCTION:

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a preferred treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, only few studies compared long-term survival outcomes of ESD with surgery. This study compared the overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival, and complication rates of ESD with those of surgery.

METHODS:

We reviewed patients who underwent ESD (n = 70) or surgery (n = 114) for SESCC at Seoul National University Hospital from 2011 to 2017. A propensity score-matched analysis was used to reduce selection bias. To increase the precision of our results interpretation, subgroups were analyzed according to the depth of tumor invasion.

RESULTS:

In the matching study, the ESD group (n = 34) showed comparable survival outcomes with the surgery group (n = 34). The 5-year OS rates were 89.4% vs 87.8% for the ESD and the surgery groups, respectively; similarly, the 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 90.9% and 91.6%, respectively. The ESD group showed a lower early major complication rate (2.9% [1 of 34] vs 23.5% [8 of 34], P < 0.001) and shorter hospital stay (median, 3.0 days vs 16.5 days, P < 0.001) than the surgery group. In the tumor in situ (Tis)-subgroup, ESD showed better OS than esophagectomy (P = 0.030). Between-group comparisons of survival outcomes in the T1a and T1b subgroups revealed no significant differences.

DISCUSSION:

Long-term outcomes of ESD are comparable with surgery for patients with SESCC. For early major complications and duration of hospital stay, ESD was associated with better outcomes than radical surgery. These results support ESD as the preferred treatment option for SESCC.

Assessment of tumor extension to the ductal system of submucosal glands in patients with superficial esophageal squamous neoplasms: Implications for endoscopic resection

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become the standard treatment for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (SESCN); however, local recurrence still occurs occasionally even in patients who meet the current curative criteria. Esophageal ducts of the submucosal gland may serve as a pathway for the spread of SESCN to a deeper layer. However, the clinical impact of ductal involvement (DI) in patients undergoing ESD has yet to be investigated.

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled patients with SESCN who were treated with ESD. The resected specimens were meticulously reviewed in multiple section slices for the presence and resected margins of DI, and their correlations with clinical factors were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 210 lesions were analyzed, of which 78 (37.1%) presented with DI. The presence of submucosal invasion, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and DI were indicators of worse prognosis (P < .05). Deep extended DIs were misdiagnosed as deep submucosal invasive cancer in 4 cases (2%). Of the 185 patients who met the criteria for curative ESD (ie, R0 resection and no deep submucosal invasion or LVI), 11 (5.9%) developed local recurrence/metastasis during a mean follow-up of 55.2 months (range, 6 to 140) months. Compared with patients with without DI, patients with DI had worse recurrence-free survival (P = .008, log-rank test) and a higher local risk of recurrence (12.7% vs 2.5%) after curative ESD (hazard ratio, 4.20; P = .038).

CONCLUSIONS

A precise histological assessment of DI in SESCN is crucial after ESD, given that DI is common and associated with worse outcome. Whether total removal of esophageal glands/ducts can improve outcome requires future study.

Repeated Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Esophageal Neoplasia Located Close to a Previous Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Scar

INTRODUCTION:

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) could become a standard treatment for early stage esophageal neoplasia. Recurrence sometimes develops close to a previous ESD scar. These lesions are predictably difficult to treat with ESD because of severe fibrosis. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of ESD for esophageal neoplasia located close to a previous ESD scar.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective observational study in a single institution. A total of 549 consecutive patients with 927 esophageal lesions were treated with ESD. The primary outcomes were resectability and adverse events of esophageal neoplasia located close to previous ESD scars (ESD scar group) than in primary esophageal ESD (primary group). Furthermore, predictive factors of perforation were examined.

RESULTS:

A total of 545 primary and 29 ESD scars in consecutive patients were evaluated. En bloc and complete (R0) resection rates in the ESD scar group were lower than those in the primary group (79.3% vs 98.3%, P < 0.01 and 75.9% vs 93.4%, P < 0.01). Perforations occurred more frequently in the ESD scar group (10.3% vs 2.0%, P = 0.03). The ESD scar group was a predictive factor for perforation (odds ratio = 10.37, 95% confidence interval: 2.15–49.94, P = 0.004). There were similar results for inverse probability of treatment weighting methods (odds ratio = 6.78, 95% confidence interval: 1.40–32.98, P = 0.018).

DISCUSSION:

ESD for esophageal neoplasia located close to a previous ESD scar was difficult to completely resect and increased the likelihood of perforation but could be a treatment option.

[Clinical Practice Guideline for Endoscopic Resection of Early Gastrointestinal Cancer]

Although surgery was the standard treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers, endoscopic resection is now a standard treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers without regional lymph node metastasis. High-definition white light endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, and image-enhanced endoscopy such as narrow band imaging are performed to assess the edge and depth of early gastrointestinal cancers for delineation of resection boundaries and prediction of the possibility of lymph node metastasis before the decision of endoscopic resection. Endoscopic mucosal resection and/or endoscopic submucosal dissection can be performed to remove early gastrointestinal cancers completely by en bloc fashion. Histopathological evaluation should be carefully made to investigate the presence of risk factors for lymph node metastasis such as depth of cancer invasion and lymphovascular invasion. Additional treatment such as radical surgery with regional lymphadenectomy should be considered if the endoscopically resected specimen shows risk factors for lymph node metastasis. This is the first Korean clinical practice guideline for endoscopic resection of early gastrointestinal cancer. This guideline was developed by using mainly de novo methods and encompasses endoscopic management of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, early gastric cancer, and early colorectal cancer. This guideline will be revised as new data on early gastrointestinal cancer are collected.

Close Observation versus Additional Surgery after Noncurative Endoscopic Resection of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

After noncurative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC), additional esophagectomy is generally recommended. However, considering its high mortality and morbidity, it is uncertain if additional surgery improves the clinical outcomes. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between patients who were observed without additional treatment and those who underwent radical esophagectomy.

METHODS

A total of 52 patients with SESCC who underwent complete but noncurative ESD from January 2008 to December 2016 at the Samsung Medical Center and Asan Medical Center in Korea were retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathologic characteristics and oncologic outcomes were compared between the observation group (n = 23) and the additional surgery group (n = 29).

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 34.4 and 41.7 months, respectively, the rates of death (observation vs. surgery, 17.4 vs. 10.3%; p = 0.686), recurrence (observation vs. surgery, 13 vs. 17.2%; p = 1.000), and disease-specific death (observation vs. surgery, 4.3 vs. 6.9%; p = 1.000) did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. The 3-year overall survival was 86.3 and 96.4%, respectively (p = 0.776). The 3-year recurrence-free survival (observation vs. surgery, 85.0 vs. 88.7%; p = 0.960) and disease-specific survival (observation vs. surgery, 95.2 vs. 96.4%; p = 0.564) also did not significantly differ.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical outcomes of close observation of noncuratively resected SESCC are comparable to those of additional surgery, at least in the midterm. The wait-and-see strategy could be a feasible management option after noncurative ESD of SESCC in selected patients.

Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Staging and Multimodal Therapy of Esophageal and Gastric Tumors

Gastric and esophageal tumors are diverse neoplasms that involve mucosal and submucosal tissue layers and include squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, spindle cell neoplasms, neuroendocrine tumors, marginal B cell lymphomas, along with less common tumors. The worldwide burden of esophageal and gastric malignancies is significant, with esophageal and gastric cancer representing the ninth and fifth most common cancers, respectively. The approach to diagnosis and staging of these lesions is multimodal and includes a combination of gastrointestinal endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and cross-sectional imaging. Likewise, therapy is multidisciplinary and combines therapeutic endoscopy, surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapeutic tools. Future directions for diagnosis of esophageal and gastric malignancies are evolving rapidly and will involve advances in endoscopic and endosonographic techniques including tethered capsules, optical coherence tomography, along with targeted cytologic and serological analyses.

Long-term Outcomes and Factors Affecting the Survival of Patients with Mucosal Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/Aims

Data regarding the prognosis of early esophageal cancer are lacking. This study investigated the long-term outcomes and factors affecting the survival of patients with mucosal esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (T1aESCC).

Methods

We analyzed the clinical and tumor-specific parameters of 263 patients who received surgical resection (SR; n=63) or endoscopic resection (ER; n=200) for T1aESCC. Underlying comorbidities were scored using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to predict factors for OS.

Results

Of the study patients (age, 64.5±8.0 years), the CCI was 1.0±1.4 in the ER group and 0.6±0.9 in the SR group (p=0.107). The 5-year OS rate during follow-up (54.4±20.4 months) was 85.7% (ER group, 86.8%; SR group, 82.4%; p=0.631). The cumulative 5-year incidence of esophageal cancer recurrence was 10.5% in the ER group (vs 0% in the SR group). The overall mortality rate was 12.9% (12.0% in the ER group and 15.9% in the SR group; p=0.399). The most common cause of mortality was second primary cancers in the ER group (75%) and organ dysfunction or postoperative complications in the SR group (70%). According to multivariate analysis, only CCI was significantly associated with OS (p<0.001). The 5-year OS rate in patients with a CCI >2 and in those with a CCI ≤2 was 60.2% and 88.2%, respectively (p<0.001). The treatment method (ER vs SR) was not a significant affecting factor (p=0.238).

Conclusions

The long-term prognosis of patients with T1aESCC was significantly associated with underlying comorbidities.

Management of esophageal strictures after endoscopic resection for early neoplasia

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic resection of extensive esophageal neoplastic lesions is associated with a high rate of esophageal stricture. Most studies have focused on the risk factors for post-endoscopic esophageal stricture, but data on the therapeutic management of these strictures are scarce. Our aim is to describe the management of esophageal strictures following endoscopic resection for early esophageal neoplasia.

METHODS

We included all patients with an endoscopic resection for early esophageal neoplasia followed by endoscopic dilatation at a tertiary referral center. We recorded the demographic, endoscopic, and histological characteristics, and the outcomes of the treatment of the strictures.

RESULTS

Between January 2010 and December 2019, we performed 166 endoscopic mucosal resections and 261 endoscopic submucosal dissections for early esophageal neoplasia, and 34 (8.0%) patients developed an esophageal stricture requiring endoscopic treatment. The indication for endoscopic resection was Barrett's neoplasia in 15/34 (44.1%) cases and squamous cell neoplasia (SCN) in 19/34 (55.9%) cases. The median [(interquartile range) (IQR)] number of endoscopic dilatations was 2.5 (2.0-4.0). Nine of 34 (26.5%) patients required only one dilatation, and 22/34 (65%) had complete dysphagia relief following three endoscopic treatment sessions. The median number of dilatations was significantly higher for SCN [3.0 (2-7); range 1-17; p = 0.02], and in the case of circumferential resection [4.0 (3.0-7.0); p = 0.03]. Endoscopic dilatation allowed a sustained dysphagia relief in 33/34 (97.0%) patients after a mean follow-up of 25.3 ± 22 months.

CONCLUSION

Refractory post-endoscopic esophageal stricture is a rare event. After a median of 2.5 endoscopic dilatations, 97.0% of patients were permanently relieved of dysphagia. Circumferential endoscopic esophageal resections should be considered when indicated.