Focal endoscopic mucosal resection before radiofrequency ablation is equally effective and safe compared with radiofrequency ablation alone for the eradication of Barrett's esophagus with advanced neoplasia

Barrett's Epithelial Thickness, Assessed by Volumetric Laser Endomicroscopy, Is Associated With Response to Radiofrequency Ablation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most common treatment for flat Barrett's esophagus (BE), but reasons for varying outcomes are poorly understood. A recently developed contrast-enhancement algorithm allows reliable measurement of Barrett's epithelial thickness (BET) from volumetric laser endomicroscopy (VLE) images and correlation with response to RFA. Using this algorithm, we investigated whether patients with thicker Barrett's mucosa are less likely to respond to RFA. In the future, this algorithm may guide choice of RFA dosing or endoscopic resection.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis on all patients with BE who received a baseline VLE scan between May 2015 and October 2016, followed by RFA and 1 follow-up exam, from 14 institutions participating in the United States VLE registry. We measured BET on equidistant locations by estimating the distance between the esophageal surface and the superficial edge of the deepest lamina propria. The primary outcome variable was the percentage reduction in Prague length; secondary outcome variables were complete remission of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) and presence of strictures after 12 months.

RESULTS

Images from 61 patients were included in our final analysis. Mean BET per patient ranged from 224 μm to 705 μm. A 100 μm thicker mean BET per patient resulted in a 12% lower response to treatment, measured by a reduction of Prague length (P = .03), after adjustment for confounders. We found an association between mean BET and CRIM, but not with stricture formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on measurements on contrast-enhanced VLE images, we found that BET correlates with response to RFA. For clinical implementation, larger studies with a standardized follow-up and development of computer-aided image analysis systems are needed.

Snare-tip soft coagulation is effective and efficient as a first-line modality for treating intraprocedural bleeding during Barrett's mucosectomy

BACKGROUND : Intraprocedural bleeding (IPB) during multiband mucosectomy (MBM) for Barrett's neoplasia can obscure the endoscopic field. Current hemostatic devices may affect procedure continuity and technical success. Snare-tip soft coagulation (STSC) as a first-line therapy for primary hemostasis has not previously been studied in this setting.

METHODS

Between January 2014 and November 2019, 191 consecutive patients underwent 292 MBM procedures for Barrett's neoplasia within a prospective observational cohort in two tertiary care centers. A standard MBM technique was performed. IPB was defined as bleeding obscuring the endoscopic field that required intervention. The primary outcome was the technical success and efficacy of STSC.

RESULTS

IPB occurred in 63 MBM procedures (21.6 %; 95 % confidence interval 17.3 % - 26.7 %). STSC was attempted as first-line therapy in 51 IPBs, with the remainder requiring alternate therapies because of pooling of blood. STSC achieved hemostasis in 48 cases (94.1 % by per-protocol analysis; 76.2 % by intention-to-treat analysis). No apparatus disassembly was required to perform STSC.

CONCLUSIONS

STSC is a safe, effective, and efficient first-line hemostatic modality for IPB during MBM for Barrett's neoplasia.

Safety and efficacy of multiband mucosectomy for Barrett's esophagus: a systematic review with pooled analysis

Background

According to guidelines, all visible lesions in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) should be endoscopically resected. Available methods of endoscopic resection include the cap-assisted technique and, more recently, multiband mucosectomy (MBM). Data on the efficacy and safety of MBM have yet to be systematically reviewed. We performed the first systematic review with pooled analysis to evaluate the outcomes of MBM in patients with BE.

Methods

Electronic databases (Medline, Scopus, EMBASE) were searched up to August 2019. Studies including patients with BE who underwent MBM were eligible. The primary outcome was the adverse events rate. Secondary outcomes were the proportions of complete resections and R0 resections. Outcomes were assessed by pooling data using a random or fixed-effect model, according to the degree of heterogeneity, to obtain a proportion with a 95% confidence interval.

Results

Fourteen studies were eligible (1334 procedures, 986 patients). The adverse event rate was 5.3%. Immediate and post-procedural bleeding, perforations and strictures occurred in 0.2%, 0.7%, 0.3% and 3.9% of procedures, respectively. Focal lesions were resected at a complete rate of 97.6% with an R0 resection rate of 94.1%.

Conclusion

MBM is a safe and effective technique for treating visible lesions in BE.

Resection of Mucosal and Submucosal Gastrointestinal Lesions and a Double Endoscope Experience

Aim:

The patients who underwent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for mucosal and submucosal lesions of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum and the advantages of the double endoscope method we used for traction during ESD were evaluated.

Material and Methods:

The patients who underwent ESD and EMR due to upper gastrointestinal lesions were evaluated retrospectively between January 2014 and April 2018 in our endoscopy unit.

Result:

The mean age of 10 patients with esophageal lesions was 53 years. ESD was performed for 7 lesions and EMR for 3 lesions. The most common lesion was leiomyoma and the median size of the lesions was 1.4 cm (range, 0.6–2.5 cm).

The median age of 26 patients with gastric lesions was 61 years. EMR were performed for 11 lesions and ESD for 15 lesions. Double endoscope was used in 6 patients. One patient had intramucosal carcinoma, while the other lesions were benign and dysplasia was the most common lesion. The median size of lesions was 1.8 cm (range, 1–3 cm).

All lesions were evaluated with endoscopic ultrasonography. Bleeding was seen in 4 patients and perforation in 1 patient during ESD and defect was closed with endoscopic clips.

Conclusion:

The advantages of endoscopic resections; short hospitalization, low complication rates, patient comfort, and doesn't require the general anesthesia. For endoscopic resection, we think that the second endoscope shortens the duration of the procedure, reduces the complication rate, and increases the comfort of the endoscopist.

Management of Early Stage Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Malignancies

Esophageal and gastric carcinomas are prevalent malignancies worldwide. In contrast to the poor prognosis associated with advanced stages of disease, early stage disease has a favorable prognosis. Early stage gastric cancer (ESGC) is defined as cancer in which the depth of invasion is limited to the submucosal layer of the stomach on histologic examination, regardless of lymph node status. ESGC that meets standard or expanded criteria can be treated via endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. Similar indications for endoscopic interventions exist for gastroesophageal junction and esophageal malignancies."

Treatment of high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma using radiofrequency ablation or endoscopic mucosal resection + radiofrequency ablation: Meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

The progression of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) to early esophageal carcinoma occurs sequentially; the metaplastic epithelium develops from a low-grade dysplasia to a high-grade dysplasia (HGD), resulting in early esophageal carcinoma and, eventually, invasive carcinoma. Endoscopic approaches including resection and ablation can be used in the treatment of this condition.

AIM

To compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) vs endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) + RFA in the endoscopic treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma.

METHODS

In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review included studies comparing the two endoscopic techniques (EMR + RFA and RFA alone) in the treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma in patients with BE. Our analysis included studies involving adult patients of any age with BE with HGD or intramucosal carcinoma. The studies compared RFA and EMR + RFA methods were included regardless of randomization status.

RESULTS

The seven studies included in this review represent a total of 1950 patients, with 742 in the EMR + RFA group and 1208 in the RFA alone group. The use of EMR + RFA was significantly more effective in the treatment of HGD [RD 0.35 (0.15, 0.56)] than was the use of RFA alone. The evaluated complications (stenosis, bleeding, and thoracic pain) were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic resection in combination with RFA is a safe and effective method in the treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma, with higher rates of remission and no significant differences in complication rates when compared to the use of RFA alone.

Measuring Barrett's Epithelial Thickness with Volumetric Laser Endomicroscopy as a Biomarker to Guide Treatment

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment outcomes vary for unknown reasons. One hypothesis is that variations in Barrett's epithelial thickness (BET) are associated with reduced RFA efficacy for thicker BET and strictures for thinner BET. Volumetric laser endomicroscopy (VLE) is an imaging modality that acquires high-resolution, depth-resolved images of BE. However, the attenuation of light by tissue and the lack of layering in Barrett's tissue challenge BET measurements and the study of relationships between thickness and RFA outcomes. We aimed to quantify BET and compared the reliability of standard and contrast-enhanced VLE images.

METHODS

Baseline VLE scans from BE patients without prior ablative therapy and a Prague (M) length of > 1 cm were obtained from the US VLE Registry. An algorithm was applied to the VLE images to flatten the mucosal surface and enhance the contrast of different esophageal wall layers. Subsequently, BET was measured by two independent VLE readers using both contrast- and non-contrast-enhanced datasets. In order to validate these adjusted images, intra- and interobserver agreements were calculated.

RESULTS

VLE scans from fifty-seven patients were included in this study. BET was measured at eight equidistant locations on the selected cross-sectional images at 0.5 cm intervals from the GEJ to the proximal-most extent of BE. The intra-observer coefficients of the two readers for the contrast-enhanced images were 0.818 (95% CI 0.798-0.836) and 0.890 (95% CI 0.878-0.900). The interobserver agreement for the contrast-enhanced images (0.880; 95% CI 0.867-0.891) was significantly better than for the original images (0.778; 95% CI 0.754-0.799).

CONCLUSION

We developed an algorithm that improves VLE visualization of the mucosal layers of the esophageal wall and enables rapid and reliable measurement of BET. Interobserver variability measurements were significantly reduced when using contrast enhancement. Studies are underway to correlate BET with treatment response.

Endoscopic Management of Early Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: Screening, Diagnosis, and Therapy

Because the esophagus is easily accessible with endoscopy, early diagnosis and curative treatment of esophageal cancer is possible. However, diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms are not specific during early stages of tumor development. The onset of dysphagia is associated with advanced disease, which has a survival at 5 years lower than 15%. Population screening by endoscopy is not cost-effective, but a number of alternative imaging and cell analysis technologies are under investigation. The ideal screening test should be inexpensive, well tolerated, and applicable to primary care. Over the past 10 years, significant progress has been made in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of dysplasia (squamous and Barrett's), and early esophageal cancer using resection and ablation technologies supported by evidence from randomized controlled trials. We review the state-of-the-art technologies for early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, which together could reduce the burden of disease.

Efficacy and safety outcomes of multimodal endoscopic eradication therapy in Barrett's esophagus-related neoplasia: a systematic review and pooled analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Focal EMR followed by radiofrequency ablation (f-EMR + RFA) and stepwise or complete EMR (s-EMR) are established strategies for eradication of Barrett's esophagus (BE)-related high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and/or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC)/intramucosal carcinoma (IMC). The objective of this study was to derive pooled rates of efficacy and safety of individual methods in a large cohort of patients with BE and to indirectly compare the 2 methods.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and major conference proceedings were searched. A systematic review and pooled analysis were carried out to determine the following outcomes in patients with BE undergoing either f-EMR + RFA or s-EMR: (1) complete eradication rates of neoplasia (CE-N) and intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM); (2) recurrence rates of cancer (EAC), dysplasia, and IM; (3) incidence rates of adverse events. Mixed logistic regression was performed as an exploratory analysis to examine differences in outcomes between the 2 methods.

RESULTS

Nine studies (774 patients) of f-EMR + RFA and 11 studies (751 patients) of s-EMR were included. Patients undergoing f-EMR + RFA had high BE eradication rates (CE-N, 93.4%; CE-IM, 73.1%), whereas strictures occurred in 10.2%, bleeding in 1.1%, and perforations in 0.2% of patients. Recurrence of EAC, dysplasia, and IM was 1.4%, 2.6%, and 16.1%, respectively, in this group. Patients undergoing s-EMR also showed high BE eradication rates (CE-N, 94.9%; CE-IM, 79.6%) but a higher rate of adverse events (strictures in 33.5%, bleeding in 7.5%, and perforation in 1.3%). Recurrence of EAC, dysplasia, and IM was 0.7%, 3.3%, and 12.1%, respectively, in the s-EMR group. Mixed logistic regression showed that patients undergoing s-EMR might be more likely to develop esophageal strictures (odds ratio [OR], 4.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-13.85; P = .005), perforation (OR, 7.00; 95% CI, 1.56-31.33; P = .01), and bleeding (OR, 6.88; 95% CI, 2.19-21.62; P = 0.001) compared with f-EMR + RFA.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HGD/EAC, f-EMR followed by RFA seems to be equally effective as and safer than s-EMR.

Endotherapy in case of relapse of neoplastic Barrett's esophagus after successful initial endoscopic resection

BACKGROUND

Endotherapy in cases of neoplastic Barrett esophagus (BE) relapse after successful initial endoscopic management is commonly accepted, but few studies analyze this topic and also take into account the metachronous lesions.

AIMS

To evaluate the efficiency of endotherapy in the case of neoplastic BE relapse after successful complete endoscopic eradication of neoplastic BE and metaplastic BE.

METHODS

Retrospective review of medical records was collected in a computerized and prospective manner between 2000 and 2015, in a single tertiary care center. Recurrence was defined by histological presence of high-grade dysplasia or superficial adenocarcinoma at least 6 months after the end of successful initial endotherapy.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients were assessed (1F/17 M). Delay between initial treatment and relapse was 16.6 months (range 6-33). Endotherapy for relapse obtained a sustained and complete remission for 8/18 (44%) patients, with an average endoscopic follow-up of 28 months. The complication rate of endotherapy was 6%. Surgical management was required in 33% (2 pT2N0M0, 2 pTisN0M0, 1 pTm2N0M0 and 1 pTm3N0M0) and salvage radiochemotherapy in 17% (3/18). One patient treated by 6 sessions of ER was considered as a failure given the multiple sessions of endotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that length of BE (>5 cm), late stenosis adverse events and the quality of vertical margin during initial ER are predictive factors for disease-free survival (p value < 0.01, Hazard Ratio up to 0.076).

CONCLUSION

Endotherapy could be a treatment for management of neoplastic BE relapse, but should be carefully used, with strict follow-up.

Evolving management of metaplasia and dysplasia in Barrett's epithelium

Oesophageal cancer affects more than 450000 people worldwide and despite continued medical advancements the incidence of oesophageal cancer is increasing. Oesophageal cancer has a 5 year survival of 15%-25% and now globally attempts are made to more aggressively diagnose and treat Barrett's oesophagus the known precursor to invasive disease. Currently diagnosis the of Barrett's oesophagus is predominantly made after endoscopic visualisation and histopathological confirmation. Minimally invasive techniques are being developed to improve the viability of screening programs. The management of Barrett's oesophagus can vary greatly dependent on the presence and severity of dysplasia. There is no consensus between the major international medical societies to determine and agreed surveillance and intervention pathway. In this review we analysed the current literature to demonstrate the evolving management of metaplasia and dysplasia in Barrett's epithelium.

Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation for Dysplastic Barrett's Esophagus: A Comprehensive Review

Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the normal squamous lining of the esophagus has been replaced by columnar epithelium containing intestinal metaplasia induced by recurrent mucosal injury related to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant condition that can progress through a dysplasia-carcinoma sequence to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Multiple endoscopic ablative techniques have been developed with the goal of eradicating Barrett's esophagus and preventing neoplastic progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. For patients with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal neoplasia, radiofrequency ablation with or without endoscopic resection for visible lesions is currently the most effective and safe treatment available. Recent data demonstrate that, in patients with Barrett's esophagus and low-grade dysplasia confirmed by a second pathologist, ablative therapy results in a statistically significant reduction in progression to high-grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Treatment of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus with radiofrequency ablation results in complete eradication of both dysplasia and of intestinal metaplasia in a high proportion of patients with a low incidence of adverse events. A high proportion of treated patients maintain the neosquamous epithelium after successful treatment without recurrence of intestinal metaplasia. Following successful endoscopic treatment, endoscopic surveillance should be continued to detect any recurrent intestinal metaplasia and/or dysplasia. This paper reviews all relevant publications on the endoscopic management of Barrett's esophagus using radiofrequency ablation.

Non-radical, stepwise complete endoscopic resection of Barrett's epithelium in short segment Barrett's esophagus has a low stricture rate

Background and aims: Radical endoscopic excision of Barrett's epithelium performing 4 - 6 endoscopic resections during the same endoscopic session results in complete Barrett's eradication but has a high stricture rate (40 - 80 %). Therefore radiofrequency ablation is preferred after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of visible nodules. We investigated the clinical outcome of non-radical, stepwise endoscopic mucosal resection with a maximum of two endoscopic resections per endoscopic session. Methods: We analysed our prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing esophageal EMR for early neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus from 2009 to 2014. EMR was performed using a maximum of two band ligation mucosectomies per endoscopic session; thereafter, follow-up was 3-monthly and EMR was repeated as required for Barrett's eradication. Results: In total, 118 patients underwent staging EMR for early Barrett's neoplasia. Subsequently, 27 patients underwent surgery/chemotherapy due to deep submucosal or more advanced tumor stages or were managed conservatively. The remaining 91 patients with high grade dysplasia (48), intramucosal (38) or submucosal cancer (5) in the resected nodule underwent further endoscopic therapy with a mean follow-up of 24 months. Remission of dysplasia/neoplasia was achieved in 95.6 % after 12 months treatment. Stepwise endoscopic Barrett's resection resulted in complete Barrett's eradication in 36/91 patients (39.6 %) in a mean of four sessions; 40/91 patients (44.0 %) had a short circumferential Barrett's segment (< 3 cm). In this group, repeated EMR achieved complete Barrett's excision in 85.0 %. One patient developed a stricture (1.1 %), one a delayed bleeding, and there were no perforations. Conclusion: In patients with a short Barrett's segment, non-radical endoscopic Barrett's resection at the time of scheduled endoscopy follow-up allows complete Barrett's eradication with very low stricture rate.

Adverse Events After Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients With Barrett's Esophagus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with or without endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is routinely used for treatment of Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia. Despite the relative safety of this method, there have been imprecise estimates of the rate of adverse events. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the rate of adverse events associated with RFA with and without EMR.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central through October 22, 2014. The primary outcome of interest was the overall rate of adverse events after RFA with or without EMR. We used forest plots to contrast effect sizes among studies.

RESULTS

Of 1521 articles assessed, 37 met our inclusion criteria (comprising 9200 patients). The pooled rate of all adverse events from RFA with or without EMR was 8.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.5%-11.9%); 5.6% of patients developed strictures (95% CI, 4.2%-7.4%), 1% had bleeding (95% CI, 0.8%-1.3%), and 0.6% developed a perforation (95% CI, 0.4%-0.9%). In studies that compared RFA with vs without EMR, the relative risk for adverse events was significantly higher for RFA with EMR (4.4) (P = .015). There was a trend toward higher proportions of adverse events in prospective studies compared with retrospective studies (11.3% vs 7.8%, P = .20). Other factors associated with adverse events included Barrett's esophagus and length and baseline histology.

CONCLUSIONS

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found the relative risk for adverse events from RFA to be about 4-fold higher with EMR than without; we identified factors associated with these events. Endoscopists should discuss these risks with patients before endoscopic eradication therapy.

Effects of preceding endoscopic mucosal resection on the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for treatment of Barrett's esophagus: results from the United States Radiofrequency Ablation Registry

The effects of preceding endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) on the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treatment of nodular Barrett's esophagus (BE) is poorly understood. Prior studies have been limited to case series from individual tertiary care centers. We report the results of a large, multicenter registry. We assessed the effects of preceding EMR on the efficacy and safety of RFA for nodular BE with advanced neoplasia (high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma) using the US RFA Registry, a nationwide study of BE patients treated with RFA at 148 institutions. Safety outcomes included stricture, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hospitalization. Efficacy outcomes included complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CEIM), complete eradication of dysplasia (CED), and number of RFA treatments needed to achieve CEIM. Analyses comparing patients with EMR before RFA to patients undergoing RFA alone were performed with Student's t-test, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Four hundred six patients were treated with EMR before RFA for nodular BE, and 857 patients were treated with RFA only for non-nodular BE. The total complication rates were 8.4% in the EMR-before-RFA group and 7.2% in the RFA-only group (P = 0.48). Rates of stricture, bleeding, and hospitalization were not significantly different between patients treated with EMR before RFA and patients treated with RFA alone. CEIM was achieved in 84% of patients treated with EMR before RFA, and 84% of patients treated with RFA only (P = 0.96). CED was achieved in 94% and 92% of patients in EMR-before-RFA and RFA-only group, respectively (P = 0.17). Durability of eradication did not differ between the groups. EMR-before-RFA for nodular BE with advanced neoplasia is effective and safe. The preceding EMR neither diminished the efficacy nor increased complication rate of RFA treatment compared to patients with advanced neoplasia who had RFA with no preceding EMR. Preceding EMR is not associated with poorer outcomes in RFA.

Multimodality endoscopic eradication for neoplastic Barrett oesophagus: results of an European multicentre study (EURO-II)

OBJECTIVE

Focal endoscopic resection (ER) followed by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) safely and effectively eradicates Barrett's oesophagus (BO) containing high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and/or early cancer (EC) in smaller studies with limited follow-up. Herein, we report long-term outcomes of combined ER and RFA for BO (HGD and/or EC) from a single-arm multicentre interventional study.

DESIGN

In 13 European centres, patients with BO ≤ 12 cm with HGD and/or EC on 2 separate endoscopies were eligible for inclusion. Visible lesions (<2 cm length; <50% circumference) were removed with ER, followed by serial RFA every 3 months (max 5 sessions). Follow-up endoscopy was scheduled at 6 months after the first negative post-treatment endoscopic control and annually thereafter.

OUTCOMES

complete eradication of neoplasia (CE-neo) and intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM); durability of CE-neo and CE-IM (once achieved) during follow-up. Biopsy and resection specimens underwent centralised pathology review.

RESULTS

132 patients with median BO length C3M6 were included. After entry-ER in 119 patients (90%) and a median of 3 RFA (IQR 3-4) treatments, CE-neo was achieved in 121/132 (92%) and CE-IM in 115/132 patients (87%), per intention-to-treat analysis. Per-protocol analysis, CE-neo and CE-IM were achieved in 98% and 93%, respectively. After a median of 27 months following the first negative post-treatment endoscopic control, neoplasia and IM recurred in 4% and 8%, respectively. Mild-to-moderate adverse events occurred in 25 patients (19%); all managed conservatively or endoscopically.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with early Barrett's neoplasia, intensive multimodality endotherapy consisting of ER combined with RFA is safe and highly effective, and the treatment effect appears to be durable during mid-term follow-up.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NTR 1211, http://www.trialregister.nl.

Current Controversies in Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy for Barrett's Esophagus

OPINION STATEMENT

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the most important risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Through the sequence of no dysplasia to low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), eventually early cancer (EC) may develop. The risk of neoplastic progression is relatively low, 0.5-0.9 % per patient per year. However, once diagnosed, esophageal adenocarcinoma is often irresectable, and 5-year survival is only 15 %. Therefore, non-dysplastic BE patients are kept under endoscopic surveillance to detect early neoplasia in a curable stage. In case of LGD confirmed by an expert pathologist, risk of neoplastic progression is high. In these confirmed LGD patients, prophylactic ablation using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the Barrett's segment has proven to significantly reduce risk of neoplastic progression. Once patients are diagnosed with HGD or EC, they have a clear indication for endoscopic treatment. The cornerstone for endoscopic management of early Barrett's neoplasia is endoscopic resection of mucosal abnormalities. Endoscopic resection (ER) provides a large tissue specimen for accurate histological evaluation to select those patients for further endoscopic management, who have neoplasia limited to the mucosa, well to moderately differentiated and without lymph-vascular invasion. After ER, the remainder of the Barrett's mucosa can be eradicated with RFA, to prevent occurrence of metachronous lesions.

Comparison of endoscopic treatment modalities for Barrett's neoplasia

BACKGROUND

There are few data comparing endoscopic treatment outcomes for Barrett's esophagus (BE).

OBJECTIVE

To compare treatment outcomes in BE patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), RFA after EMR, and porfimer sodium photodynamic therapy (Ps-PDT).

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational study.

SETTING

Single tertiary center between 2001 and 2013.

PATIENTS

A total of 342 BE patients treated with RFA (n = 119), EMR+RFA (n = 98), and Ps-PDT (n = 125).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Rates of complete remission of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM), BE recurrence, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Baseline BE high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and adenocarcinoma were more common in the Ps-PDT group (89%) compared with the EMR-RFA (70%) and RFA (37%) groups. At a median follow-up of 14.2 months, 173 patients (50.6%) achieved CRIM. CRIM was significantly more common in Ps-PDT patients compared with RFA (P < .001) and EMR-RFA (P < .001) patients on multivariable analysis. In patients who achieved CRIM, the rates of subsequent BE recurrence were relatively similar among the 3 groups. Although the rates of bleeding were similar, strictures were less common in RFA patients (2.4%) compared with EMR-RFA (13.3%, P = .001) and Ps-PDT (10.4%, P =.043) patients.

CONCLUSION

This study of endoscopic treatment for Barrett's dysplasia and neoplasia found that complete remission was achieved more often and more rapidly after Ps-PDT with similar disease recurrence rates compared with EMR or RFA. Adverse events were more common after EMR and Ps-PDT. Further studies are required to determine which ablation and resection techniques are ideally suited for each BE patient.

Endoscopic resection of gastric and esophageal cancer

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) techniques have reduced the need for surgery in early esophageal and gastric cancers and thus has lessened morbidity and mortality in these diseases. ESD is a relatively new technique in western countries and requires rigorous training to reproduce the proficiency of Asian countries, such as Korea and Japan, which have very high complete (en bloc) resection rates and low complication rates. EMR plays a valuable role in early esophageal cancers. ESD has shown better en bloc resection rates but it is easier to master and maintain proficiency in EMR; it also requires less procedural time. For early esophageal adenocarcinoma arising from Barrett’s, ESD and EMR techniques are usually combined with other ablative modalities, the most common being radiofrequency ablation because it has the largest dataset to prove its success. The EMR techniques have been used with some success in early gastric cancers but ESD is currently preferred for most of these lesions. ESD has the added advantage of resecting into the submucosa and thus allowing for endoscopic resection of more aggressive (deeper) early gastric cancer.

Effects of the Learning Curve on Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation for Barrett's Esophagus

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Complete eradication of Barrett's esophagus (BE) often requires multiple sessions of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Little is known about the effects of case volume on the safety and efficacy of RFA or about the presence or contour of learning curves for this procedure.

METHODS

We collected data from the US RFA Patient Registry (from 148 institutions) for patients who underwent RFA for BE from July 2007 to July 2011. We analyzed the effects of the number of patients treated by individual endoscopists and individual centers on safety and efficacy outcomes of RFA. Outcomes, including stricture, bleeding, hospitalization, and complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CEIM), were assessed using logistic regression. The effects of center and investigator experience on numbers of treatment sessions to achieve CEIM were examined using linear regression.

RESULTS

After we controlled for potential confounders, we found that as the experience of endoscopists and centers increased with cases, the numbers of treatment sessions required to achieve CEIM decreased. This relationship persisted after adjusting for patient age, sex, race, length of BE, and presence of pretreatment dysplasia (P < .01). Center experience was not significantly associated with overall rates of CEIM or complete eradication of dysplasia. We did not observe any learning curve with regard to risks of stricture, gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, or hospitalization (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on analysis of a large multicenter registry, efficiency of the treatment, as measured by number of sessions needed to achieve CEIM, increased with case volume, indicating a learning curve effect. This trend began to disappear after treatment of approximately 30 patients by the center or individual endoscopist. However, there was no significant association between safety or efficacy outcomes and previous case volume.

Endoscopic treatments for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus: resection, ablation, what else?

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic eradication therapy for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) comprises resection and mucosal ablation techniques. Over the years, these techniques have been tried with success, not only for dysplastic Barrett's epithelium but also for non-dysplastic Barrett's epithelium and early adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic resection is usually carried out for visible lesions, either as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), which is practiced widely in Western countries, or as endoscopic submucosal dissection, which is more popular in Japan and throughout Asia. Among ablative techniques are photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

METHODS

We reviewed the published evidence pertaining to endoscopic treatments of dysplastic BE, with emphasis on the various resection and ablative techniques, their safety, efficacy, durability of effect, and tolerability.

RESULTS

Both resection and ablation procedures performed endoscopically have been proved effective, and safe for treating dysplastic BE and early adenocarcinoma. Among the ablative techniques, RFA has shown to be more effective and safe, and is preferred for most cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic therapies have revolutionized the treatment of BE and have minimized the need for surgical intervention in many patients. Concomitant treatment of acid reflux with proton pump inhibitors and continuous surveillance are essential. Combination techniques such as EMR followed by RFA may be also considered in some cases.

Management of high grade dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus with underlying oesophageal varices: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic treatment of Barrett's oesophagus leading to high grade dysplasia with oesophageal varices may lead to bleeding complications.

AIMS

Estimate effectiveness of endoscopic band-ligation in oesophageal varices patients treated for high grade dysplasia, and compare to endoscopically treated non-oesophageal varices high grade dysplasia patients.

METHODS

Retrospective comparative study. All 8 high grade dysplasia patients with varices who were treated initially with band-ligation at Mayo Clinic between 8/1/1999 and 2/28/2014 were compared with reference group of 52 high grade dysplasia patients treated endoscopically.

RESULTS

One high grade dysplasia patients patient with oesophageal varices (12.5%) achieved complete remission of intestinal metaplasia defined by at least one followup endoscopy with normal biopsies, and 3 (37.5%) achieved complete remission of dysplasia defined by at least one followup endoscopy with non-dysplastic biopsies. 39 (75.0%) endomucosal resection/radiofrequency ablation patients experienced at least one followup endoscopy with normal biopsies, and 49 (94.2%) experienced non-dysplastic biopsies. Both of these endpoints occurred significantly more often in the endomucosal resection/radiofrequency ablation group compared to the high grade dysplasia with oesophageal varices group (p=0.016 and p=0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

High grade dysplastic Barrett's can be safely managed with band-ligation. However, resolution of Barrett's epithelium is rarely achieved with banding alone.

Endoscopic Management of Early Esophageal Cancer

The absolute incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased 7-fold over the past 5 decades, and esophageal adenocarcinoma is the most rapidly increasing epithelial malignancy in the United States. The incidence of early esophageal cancer has also increased proportionately. In the past decade, radiofrequency ablation has become the standard first-line therapy for high-grade dysplasia when found in the precursor lesion to esophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett's esophagus. Success in the endoscopic management of high-grade dysplasia has furthered efforts to treat early esophageal cancers endoscopically. Although surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for more advanced tumors, national guidelines now recommend endoscopic mucosal resection followed by radiofrequency ablation for intramucosal carcinomas and T1a cancers. T1b cancers represent a more challenging group-very good results have been reported in highly selected subsets of patients with T1b tumors; however, many recommendations favor individualization or a surgical approach for this stage. This review examines the current data and recommendations regarding the endoscopic management of early esophageal adenocarcinomas.

Radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's-associated intramucosal carcinoma: a multi-center follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), with or without endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), has been validated as a safe, effective and durable treatment option for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus. Its durability in eradicating Barrett's-associated intramucosal carcinoma (IMC), however, is unclear. We set out to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of RFA for IMC.

METHODS

Retrospective review of two tertiary care facility records for patients undergoing RFA, with or without EMR, for biopsy-proven IMC. Our primary outcome of interest was to quantify the rate of durable complete eradication for intestinal metaplasia and for IMC and associated dysplasia. A multi-variate regression analysis was performed to identify features which correlate with durable eradication of IMC/dysplasia. Our secondary outcome of interest was treatment-related complications.

RESULTS

36 patients (26 male; mean age 64 ± 12 years), with a mean Barrett's length of 3.5 ± 2.5 cm, underwent RFA for biopsy-proven IMC. EMR was performed in 31 (86%) prior to or during RFA. Complete eradication of IMC/dysplasia was achieved in 32/36 (89%) and patients required a mean of 1 ± 1 EMR and 2 ± 1 RFA sessions to achieve eradication. During a mean follow-up period of 24 ± 19 months, durable complete eradication of IMC/dysplasia was achieved in 29/36 (81%) patients. On multi-variate regression analysis, undergoing an EMR prior to RFA was associated with an increased likelihood of maintaining durable eradication of IMC/dysplasia (p = 0.03). Treatment-related complications included: bleeding (3%) and stricture formation (19%).

CONCLUSION

RFA is an effective and durable treatment option for Barrett's-associated IMC. Greater than 80% of patients will achieve and maintain complete eradication of IMC at a mean of 2 years follow-up.

Surveillance in patients with long-segment Barrett's oesophagus: a cost-effectiveness analysis

OBJECTIVE

Surveillance is recommended for Barrett's oesophagus (BO) to detect early oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of surveillance.

DESIGN

We included 714 patients with long-segment BO in a multicentre prospective cohort study and used a multistate Markov model to calculate progression rates from no dysplasia (ND) to low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and OAC. Progression rates were incorporated in a decision-analytic model, including costs and quality of life data. We evaluated different surveillance intervals for ND and LGD, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and oesophagectomy for HGD or early OAC and oesophagectomy for advanced OAC. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated in costs per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY).

RESULTS

The annual progression rate was 2% for ND to LGD, 4% for LGD to HGD or early OAC and 25% for HGD or early OAC to advanced OAC. Surveillance every 5 or 4 years with RFA for HGD or early OAC and oesophagectomy for advanced OAC had ICERs of €5.283 and €62.619 per QALY for ND. Surveillance every five to one year had ICERs of €4.922, €30.067, €32.531, €41.499 and €75.601 per QALY for LGD. EMR prior to RFA was slightly more expensive, but important for tumour staging.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a Dutch healthcare perspective and assuming a willingness-to-pay threshold of €35.000 per QALY, surveillance with EMR and RFA for HGD or early OAC, and oesophagectomy for advanced OAC is cost-effective every 5 years for ND and every 3 years for LGD.

Ablative Endoscopic Therapies for Barrett's-Esophagus-Related Neoplasia

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is more common in developed countries. Endoscopic therapy is an effective treatment method in management of dysplastic BE. Ablation by thermal energy, freezing, or photochemical injury completely eradicates dysplasia and specialized intestinal metaplasia resulting in neosquamation of esophagus. Among the ablative modalities, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most studied with safe, effective, and durable long-term outcomes. Cryotherapy, argon plasma coagulation, and photodynamic therapy can be offered in select patients when RFA is unavailable, has failed, or is contraindicated. Future research on natural disease progression, biomarkers, advanced imaging, and application of endoscopic techniques will lead to better clinical outcomes for BE-associated neoplasia.

Recurrent intestinal metaplasia after radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's esophagus: endoscopic findings and anatomic location

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe and effective treatment for Barrett's esophagus (BE) that results in high rates of complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CEIM). However, recurrence is common after CEIM, and surveillance endoscopy is recommended. Neither the anatomic location nor the endoscopic appearance of these recurrences is well-described.

OBJECTIVE

Describe the location of histologic specimens positive for recurrence after CEIM and the testing performance of endoscopic findings for the histopathologic detection of recurrence.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

SETTING

Single referral center.

PATIENTS

A total of 198 patients with BE with at least 2 surveillance endoscopies after CEIM.

INTERVENTIONS

RFA, EMR, surveillance endoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The anatomic location and histologic grade of recurrence.

RESULTS

In a mean 3.0 years of follow-up, 32 (16.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.0%-22.0%) patients had recurrence of disease, 5 (2.5%; 95% CI, 0.3%-4.7%) of whom progressed beyond their worst before-treatment histology. Recurrence was most common at or near the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Recurrence>1 cm proximal to the GEJ always was accompanied by endoscopic findings, and random biopsies in these areas detected no additional cases. The sensitivity of any esophageal sign under high-definition white light or narrow-band imaging for recurrence was 59.4% (42.4%, 76.4%), and the specificity was 80.6% (77.2%, 84.0%).

LIMITATIONS

Single-center study.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent intestinal metaplasia often is not visible to the endoscopist and is most common near the GEJ. Random biopsies>1 cm above the GEJ had no yield for recurrence. In addition to biopsy of prior EMR sites and of suspicious lesions, random biopsies oversampling the GEJ are recommended.

Comparative risk of recurrence of dysplasia and carcinoma after endoluminal eradication therapy of high-grade dysplasia versus intramucosal carcinoma in Barrett's esophagus

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic therapy is the preferred approach for the management of Barrett's esophagus (BE) patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and intramucosal carcinoma (IMC). Little is known about outcome differences in patients with HGD versus IMC.

OBJECTIVE

To determine and compare the rate of recurrent dysplasia or neoplasia in patients with HGD or IMC undergoing endoscopic therapy.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

A total of 246 BE patients with either HGD or IMC referred for endoscopic therapy.

INTERVENTION

Patients underwent EMR and/or ablation therapy with the goal of complete eradication of all dysplasia/neoplasia and intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM). Patients were assigned to either the HGD or IMC group based on highest pathology grade at the start of therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Complete eradication and recurrence of IM and/or HGD/neoplasia were assessed among patients with HGD versus IMC. Only patients with CE-IM (documented eradication of all dysplasia/neoplasia and IM on a single endoscopy) were included for analysis of recurrence rates and risk factors.

RESULTS

CE-IM was achieved in 113 of 135 patients (83.7%) with HGD and in 84 of 111 patients (75.7%) with IMC (P = .16). Overall recurrence rates of dysplasia or neoplasia after CE-IM were similar in both groups (HGD, 8.0% vs IMC, 9.5%; P = .44; relative risk, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.5-3.0) and remained similar in patients with 5 years of surveillance after CE-IM (HGD, 13.5% vs IMC, 11.4%; P = .53; relative risk, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-2.7).

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective, observational study and evolution of endoscopic modalities and experience.

CONCLUSION

Endoluminal therapy can successfully achieve eradication of IM and dysplasia or neoplasia in BE patients with HGD and IMC at comparable rates. There were no differences in the rates of recurrent HGD/IMC in the 2 groups.

Safety of esophageal EMR in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

EMR is commonly used to remove suspicious esophageal lesions among patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE). BE primarily affects older patients. Yet, the safety profile of EMR in elderly patients has not been well-described.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to study the safety profile of EMR in elderly patients compared with younger patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational, descriptive study that used a prospective database.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral center.

PATIENTS

A total of 136 patients who underwent esophageal EMR for BE.

INTERVENTIONS

EMR with/without ablative therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The rate of adverse events, including bleeding, stricture formation, and perforation between elderly (aged ≥75 years) and younger (aged <75 years) patients.

RESULTS

We identified 136 patients who underwent esophageal EMR who were followed-up in our clinic. Of those, 40% (n = 55) were aged ≥75 years (elderly group) and 60% (n = 81) were aged <75 years (younger group). There was no difference in rate of stricture formation or early or delayed bleeding when we compared elderly patients to younger patients. None of the patients had esophageal perforation. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, controlling for patient sex, EMR technique, and underlying pathology, older age was not associated with increased odds of adverse events (OR 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.9; P = .75).

LIMITATIONS

Single-center experience.

CONCLUSION

Rates of adverse events from EMR appear to be similar in elderly patients compared with younger patients. Overall, esophageal EMR seems to offer an acceptable safety profile in elderly patients.

Ablative therapy for esophageal dysplasia and early malignancy: focus on RFA

Ablative therapies have been utilized with increasing frequency for the treatment of Barrett's esophagus with and without dysplasia. Multiple modalities are available for topical ablation of the esophagus, but radiofrequency ablation (RFA) remains the most commonly used. There have been significant advances in technique since the introduction of RFA. The aim of this paper is to review the indications, techniques, outcomes, and most common complications following esophageal ablation with RFA.

Systematic review comparing radiofrequency ablation and complete endoscopic resection in treating dysplastic Barrett's esophagus: a critical assessment of histologic outcomes and adverse events

BACKGROUND

With recent advances in endoscopy, endoscopic techniques have surpassed esophagectomy in the treatment of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE).

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of complete EMR and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of dysplastic BE.

DESIGN

Systematic review of literature.

PATIENTS

Diagnosis of BE with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal cancer.

INTERVENTION

Complete EMR or RFA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Complete eradication of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia at the end of treatment and after >12 months' follow-up. Adverse event rates associated with treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Only 1 trial directly compared the 2 techniques; most studies were observational case series. Dysplasia was effectively eradicated at the end of treatment in 95% of patients after complete EMR and 92% after RFA. After a median follow-up of 23 months for complete EMR and 21 months for RFA, eradication of dysplasia was maintained in 95% of patients treated with complete EMR and 94% treated with RFA. Short-term adverse events were seen in 12% of patients treated with complete EMR but in only 2.5% of those treated with RFA. Esophageal strictures were adverse events in 38% of patients treated with complete EMR, compared with 4% of those treated with RFA. Progression to cancer appeared to be rare after treatment, although follow-up was short.

LIMITATIONS

Small studies, heterogeneous in design, with variable outcome measures. Also follow-up durations were short, limiting evaluation of long-term durability of both treatments.

CONCLUSION

RFA and complete EMR are equally effective in the short-term treatment of dysplastic BE, but adverse event rates are higher with complete EMR.

Endoscopic management of Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia and early-stage esophageal adenocarcinoma

Several endoscopic procedures have been recently developed for the treatment of Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal cancer, including endoscopic resection, radiofrequency ablation, and cryoablation. This review article discusses ideal candidates for endoscopic therapies, current treatment modalities, clinical and safety outcomes, and specific management recommendations.

Endoscopic eradication therapy for mucosal neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Endoscopic eradication therapy is frequently used to treat dysplasia and early cancers in Barrett's esophagus. This review addresses some of the recent developments in the field of endoscopic eradication therapy for Barrett's esophagus.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data on the effectiveness of Barrett's esophagus ablation programs have been published recently, with excellent results for dysplasia eradication. Studies describing long-term results have shed light on the durability of endoscopic ablation, with recurrence of Barrett's esophagus and neoplasia seen in some cases, particularly at the gastroesophageal junction. Risk factors for failed ablation include longer Barrett's esophagus segments and persistent gastroesophageal reflux. New developments include studies combining radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endoscopic mucosal resection into a single endoscopic session, endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's esophagus neoplasia, and a simplified RFA algorithm. New data on the cost-effectiveness of RFA have also been published, suggesting that RFA is cost-effective for both high-grade and low-grade dysplasia, but not for nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus. A systematic review has shown that lymph node metastases are rare (∼2%) with intramucosal adenocarcinoma, supporting the use of endoscopic eradication for that lesion.

SUMMARY

Research and clinical experience with the endoscopic therapies for Barrett's esophagus continue to grow. Proper patient selection and technique are critical for ensuring a good outcome. Endoscopic surveillance after any of the ablative therapies still appears to be necessary.

Radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic mucosal resection for dysplastic barrett's esophagus and early esophageal adenocarcinoma: outcomes of the UK National Halo RFA Registry

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or early neoplasia increasingly receive endoscopic mucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy. We analyzed data from a UK registry that follows the outcomes of patients with BE who have undergone RFA for neoplasia.

METHODS

We collected data on 335 patients with BE and neoplasia (72% with HGD, 24% with intramucosal cancer, 4% with low-grade dysplasia [mean age, 69 years; 81% male]), treated at 19 centers in the United Kingdom from July 2008 through August 2012. Mean length of BE segments was 5.8 cm (range, 1-20 cm). Patients' nodules were removed by endoscopic mucosal resection, and the patients then underwent RFA every 3 months until all areas of BE were ablated or cancer developed. Biopsies were collected 12 months after the first RFA; clearance of HGD, dysplasia, and BE were assessed.

RESULTS

HGD was cleared from 86% of patients, all dysplasia from 81%, and BE from 62% at the 12-month time point, after a mean of 2.5 (range, 2-6) RFA procedures. Complete reversal dysplasia was 15% less likely for every 1-cm increment in BE length (odds ratio = 1.156; SE = 0.048; 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.26; P < .001). Endoscopic mucosal resection before RFA did not provide any benefit. Invasive cancer developed in 10 patients (3%) by the 12-month time point and disease had progressed in 17 patients (5.1%) after a median follow-up time of 19 months. Symptomatic strictures developed in 9% of patients and were treated by endoscopic dilatation. Nineteen months after therapy began, 94% of patients remained clear of dysplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

We analyzed data from a large series of patients in the United Kingdom who underwent RFA for BE-related neoplasia and found that by 12 months after treatment, dysplasia was cleared from 81%. Shorter segments of BE respond better to RFA; http://www.controlled-trials.com, number ISRCTN93069556.

Endoscopic management of esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a potentially curative non-surgical option for locally advanced esophageal cancer, with pathological complete response (CR) ranging from 13 to 49 %. The rate of persistent and recurrent disease within the esophagus remains high at 40-60 %, and treatment of these tumors may improve disease-free survival. The aim of this review is to assess the efficacy of salvage endoscopic therapies for recurrent esophageal cancer.

METHODS

Medline and Embase were searched for relevant studies published in the English-language literature that reported use of endoscopic modalities, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), and spray cryotherapy, as salvage therapies for esophageal cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies were identified. In small case series of PDT, CR varied from 20 to 100 %, with 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of 65-80, 34-47, and 36 %, respectively. Data from three studies of EMR in squamous cell cancer show CR in 50 % of cases, with 3- and 5-year overall survival of 56-81 and 49 %, respectively. Endoscopic spray cryotherapy has recently been used in this setting with an observed CR of 37.5 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic salvage therapies are options for those patients with disease limited to the superficial esophageal wall and those who are unfit to undergo salvage esophagectomy. Widespread application of endoscopic salvage therapies is limited by the lack of awareness and guidelines for endoscopic surveillance post-CRT and limited data on the effectiveness of endoscopic therapies.

Endotherapy for superficial adenocarcinoma of the esophagus: an American experience

BACKGROUND

EMR and ablation are increasingly being used alone or in combination for treatment of Barrett's neoplasia. Given a very low rate of lymph node metastasis, endotherapy has become an accepted treatment option for T1a esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) with low-risk features.

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience of endoscopic management of T1a EAC in a large, tertiary-care center.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral center.

PATIENTS

Patients treated endoscopically for low-risk T1a EAC at our center.

INTERVENTION

EMR and endoscopic ablation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Death related to esophageal cancer, remission of adenocarcinoma, dysplasia, and intestinal metaplasia.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients underwent endotherapy for low-risk T1a EAC from 2006 to 2012. Mean (± SD) follow-up was 23 (± 16) months, mean (± SD) size of resected adenocarcinoma was 7.1 (± 4.3) mm, and mean (± SD) Barrett's esophagus length was 4.5 (± 3.9) cm. Band-assisted, cap-assisted, and lift and cut EMR were performed in 85%, 11%, and 4% of patients, respectively; 81% underwent additional ablative therapy (radiofrequency ablation 95%, cryotherapy 9%, photodynamic therapy 2%). Complete remission from cancer was achieved in 96%, complete remission from dysplasia in 87%, and complete remission from intestinal metaplasia in 59%. The overall survival was 89%; there were no deaths related to esophageal cancer.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective study.

CONCLUSION

Endotherapy for T1a EAC was safe and effective in our American cohort. Endotherapy should be considered primary therapy for appropriate patients with low-risk lesions. Complete Barrett's esophagus eradication after EMR is important to reduce the development of metachronous lesions.

Barrett's esophagus: review of diagnosis and treatment

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an acquired condition characterized by replacement of stratified squamous epithelium by a cancer predisposing metaplastic columnar epithelium. Endoscopy with systemic biopsy protocols plays a vital role in diagnosis. Technological advancements in dysplasia detection improves outcomes in surveillance and treatment of patients with BE and dysplasia. These advances in endoscopic technology radically changed the treatment for dysplastic BE and early cancer from being surgical to organ-sparing endoscopic therapy. A multimodal treatment approach combining endoscopic resection of visible and/or raised lesions with ablation techniques for flat BE mucosa, followed by long-term surveillance improves the outcomes of BE. Safe and effective endoscopic treatment can be either tissue acquiring as in endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection or tissue ablative as with photodynamic therapy, radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy. Debatable issues such as durability of response, recognition and management of sub-squamous BE and optimal management strategy in patients with low-grade dysplasia and non-dysplastic BE need to be studied further. Development of safer wide field resection techniques, which would effectively remove all BE and obviate the need for long-term surveillance, is another research goal. Shared decision making between the patient and physician is important while considering treatment for dysplasia in BE.

Oesophageal cancer--an overview

Oesophageal carcinoma is one of the most virulent malignant diseases and a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Diagnosis and accuracy of pretreatment staging have substantially improved throughout the past three decades. Therapy is challenging and the optimal approach is still debated. Oesophagectomy is considered to be the procedure of choice in patients with operable oesophageal cancer. Endoscopic measures and limited surgical procedures provide an alternative in patients with early carcinomas confined to the oesophageal mucosa. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy are also frequently applied, either as definitive treatment or as neoadjuvant therapy within multimodal approaches. The question of whether multimodal treatment offers improved results has been the focus of many studies since the 1990s. Although results are discordant and even some meta-analyses remain inconclusive, it is now widely accepted that multimodal therapy leads to a modest survival benefit. The role of minimally invasive oesophagectomy is not yet defined. Endoscopic stent insertion, radiotherapy and other palliative measures provide relief of tumour-related symptoms in advanced, unresectable tumour stages.

Managing Barrett's esophagus with radiofrequency ablation

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a well-established pre-malignant lesion for esophageal adenocarcinoma, a condition that carries a dismal five-year overall survival rate of less than 15%. Among several available methods to eliminate BE, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) provides the most efficient modality, since it has been demonstrated to successfully eradicate BE with or without dysplasia with acceptable safety, efficacy and durability profiles. In conjunction with proton pump therapy, this new technology has quickly become the standard care for patients with dysplastic BE. However, several technical questions remain about how to deploy RFA therapy for maximum effectiveness and long-term favorable outcomes for all stages of the disease. These include how to select patient for therapy, what the best protocol for RFA is, when to use other modalities, such as endoscopic mucosal resection, and what should be considered for refractory BE. This review addresses these questions with the perspective of the best available evidence matched with the authors' experience with the technology.

Advances in endoluminal therapy for esophageal cancer

Advances in endoscopic therapy have resulted in dramatic changes in the way early esophageal cancer is managed as well as in the palliation of dysphagia related to advanced esophageal cancer. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are effective therapies for accurate histopathologic staging and provide a potential for complete cure. Mucosal ablative techniques (radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy) are effective adjuncts to EMR and ESD and reduce the occurrence of synchronous and metachronous lesions within the Barrett esophagus. The successes of these techniques have made endoscopic therapy the primary means of management of early esophageal cancer.