Treatment of esophagogastric tumors

Fluoroscopic guidance biopsy for severe anastomotic stricture after esophagogastrostomy of esophageal carcinoma: A STROBE-compliant article

To determine the safety and effectiveness of fluoroscopic guidance biopsy in the diagnosis of serve anastomotic stricture after esophagogastrostomy for esophageal carcinoma.A total of 55 patients with severe anastomotic stricture were enrolled for forceps biopsy between June 2013 and July 2017. Chest computed tomography (CT) and esophagogram were used to determine the location and extent of stricture. Specimens were collected from the site of stricture by using biopsy forceps under fluoroscopic guidance. Stooler's dysphagia score was compared before and after treatment.The technical success rate of fluoroscopic guidance biopsy was 100%, with no serious complications occurred. A total of 38 patients were diagnosed as benign stricture, of which, 2 patients were further diagnosed as cancer by further biopsy, with a missed diagnosis rate of 5.3%, and 1 patient developed squamous cell carcinoma after 5 months. Thus 20 cases were diagnosed as cancer, 3 cases were adenocarcinoma and 17 cases were squamous cell carcinoma. Balloon dilation was performed for 20 patients (33 times) of benign stricture, and 9 patients (10 times) of malignant stricture. A total of 26 esophageal covered stents were implanted for benign restenosis after repeated balloon dilation. A total of 8 esophageal covered stents were implanted for malignant stricture. After esophagus stenting, dysphagia was immediately alleviated. The dysphagia score decreased from 3.4 ± 0.1 to 0.7 ± 0.1 (P < .001) after treatment.Fluoroscopic guidance biopsy is a safe and effective procedure for directing appropriate treatment of anastomotic stricture after esophagogastrostomy, and it may be an alternative approach for patients who cannot tolerate fibergastroscopy.

What Is Most Important to the Endoscopist for Therapeutic Plan? Morphology versus Pathology: A Nationwide Multicenter Retrospective Study in Korea

Histologic discrepancy may sometimes occur between biopsy and endoscopic resection. We investigated the discrepancy rate between the biopsy and the resection lesion in the Korean population. From January 2010 to October 2016, 268 patients with gastric endoscopic mucosal resection/endoscopic submucosal dissection history from nationwide hospitals were enrolled retrospectively. We compared the histologic discrepancy rates from the biopsy and the resection. The mean age was 63.2 years. Gastric adenomas occurred most frequently in the antrum. The pathology of the resected specimens classified 25 lesions (9.3%) as gastritis/hyperplasia, 146 lesions (54.5%) as low-grade dysplasia, 76 lesions (28.4%) as high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and 21 lesions (7.8%) as adenocarcinoma. The discrepancy rate between biopsy and resection was 23.1 per cent. Among the 44 cases of gastritis/hyperplasia, two cases (4.5%) were diagnosed as HGD and 11 cases (25.0%) were diagnosed as cancer after resection. Among the 182 cases of low-grade dysplasia, 33 cases (18.1%) were diagnosed as HGD and nine cases (5.0%) were diagnosed as cancer after resection. Gastritis/hyperplasia, ulceration, and lesions in the lower body location were significant factors related to the discrepancies. Especially, discrepancy occurred most frequently in gastritis/hyperplasia lesions with ulcer in the lower body. There was considerable histologic discrepancy between biopsy and resection. Ulcerative-type tumor morphology and biopsy diagnosis of gastritis/hyperplasia are suggestive factors predictive of discrepancy between biopsy and resection in terms of malignancy. Therefore, although the results of biopsy are gastritis/ hyperplasia, suspicious tumorous lesions with ulcer should be indicative of active endoscopic resection for diagnosis and treatment.

What are the risk factors for residual tumor cells after endoscopic complete resection in gastric epithelial neoplasia?

BACKGROUND

In early gastric cancer (EGC) and gastric adenoma, residual tumors may develop despite complete endoscopic resection (ER). To improve the chance of curative resection, we investigated the risk factors of residual tumor development in completely resected gastric epithelial neoplasia after ER.

METHODS

In total, 3,879 gastric epithelial neoplasms showing complete resection after ER were examined; 46 (1.2 %) residual tumors were found upon follow-up endoscopy. Clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated between those with and without residual tumors.

RESULTS

For gastric adenoma, high-grade dysplasia and severe intestinal metaplasia (IM) in the background mucosa were significantly associated with residual tumors. For EGC, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (PD), signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC), having a minimum lateral safety margin of <3 mm, and localization in the upper third of the stomach were significantly associated with residual tumors. Multivariate analysis revealed that a lateral safety margin of <3 mm (OR 13.8; p < 0.001), PD (OR 16.3; p = 0.014), and SRC (OR 9.8; p = 0.009) among EGC patients, and severe IM in the background mucosa (OR 9.0; p = 0.024) among gastric adenoma patients, were significantly associated with residual tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

For neoplasms with undifferentiated histology (PD or SRC), short-term endoscopic follow-up may help to detect residual tumors that form after complete resection via ER. For EGC, the lateral margin may be considered safe if greater than 3 mm. However, the possibility of satellite lesions should be investigated when the gastric adenoma to be resected is surrounded by severe IM.

Surgical emergencies in oncology

An oncologic emergency is defined as an acute, potentially life threatening condition in a cancer patient that has developed as a result of the malignant disease or its treatment. Many oncologic emergencies are signs of advanced, end-stage malignant disease. Oncologic emergencies can be divided into medical or surgical. The literature was reviewed to construct a summary of potential surgical emergencies in oncology that any surgeon can be confronted with in daily practice, and to offer insight into the current approach for these wide ranged emergencies. Cancer patients can experience symptoms of obstruction of different structures and various causes. Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract is the most frequent condition seen in surgical practice. Further surgical emergencies include infections due to immune deficiency, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, bleeding events, and pathological fractures. For the institution of the appropriate treatment for any emergency, it is important to determine the underlying cause, since emergencies can be either benign or malignant of origin. Some emergencies are well managed with conservative or non-invasive treatment, whereas others require emergency surgery. The patient's performance status, cancer stage and prognosis, type and severity of the emergency, and the patient's wishes regarding invasiveness of treatment are essential during the decision making process for optimal management.

Assessment of sentinel node concept in esophageal cancer based on lymph node micrometastasis

PURPOSE

The clinical significance of lymph node micrometastasis remains unclear in patients with esophageal cancer. Therefore, accurate assessment of lymph node status including micrometastasis is important when performing sentinel node (SN) navigation surgery. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the adequacy of SN concept based on lymph node micrometastasis determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

A total of 57 patients with esophageal cancer who were preoperatively diagnosed as having T1-T2 (cT1-T2) and N0 (cN0) were enrolled. They underwent standard esophagectomy with lymph node dissection. One day before surgery, a total of 3 mCi of 99mTechnetium-tin colloid was endoscopically injected into the submucosa around the tumor. During the operation, radioisotope uptake in the lymph nodes was measured using Navigator GPS. All dissected lymph nodes were investigated by RT-PCR using the double marker of CEA and SCC, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and IHC.

RESULTS

Node-positive incidence identified by HE and IHC was 12.3% (7/57) and 19.3% (11/57), respectively. RT-PCR demonstrated micrometastasis in four of 46 patients without nodal metastasis determined by HE staining and IHC. No non-SN metastases were found in 42 patients without micrometastasis identified by IHC and RT-PCR of SN. Accuracy and false negative rates were 100% (57/57) and 0% (0/42), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

SN concept might be acceptable in patients with cT1-T2 and cN0 esophageal cancer, even in the presence of micrometastasis identified by IHC and RT-PCR.

Predictable factors of histologic discrepancy of gastric cancer between the endoscopic forceps biopsy and endoscopic treatment specimen

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Recently, variable gastrointestinal track tumors including early stage malignancies are treated by endoscopic procedure. However, the discrepancy of histologic diagnosis may sometimes exist between the pretreatment forceps biopsy results and those of post treatment specimen. So the prediction of malignant lesion is important in the aspect of treatment selection. In this study, we investigated the predictable factors of the histologic discrepancy through the clinical, endoscopic features of the lesion diagnosed as adenocarcinoma in the post-endoscopic treatment specimen after the adenoma was diagnosed by the endoscopic forceps biopsy.

METHODS

From March 2005 to April 2009, 129 gastric tumor lesions (129 patients) which were not diagnosed as malignancy and treated with endoscopic procedure were enrolled retrospectively. We compared the pretreatment endoscopic forceps biopsy results and post-treatment specimen biopsy results, then, analyzed the tumor characteristics.

RESULTS

Twenty-one cases (16.3%) were diagnosed as malignancy after endoscopic treatment. Especially, discrepancy occurred more frequently in depressed lesions than in flat or elevated lesions (41.7% vs. 13.7%, p=0.012), and in lesions diagnosed as high grade adenomas than low or moderate grade adenomas (33.3% vs. 11.1%. p=0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of depressed type lesions in the pretreatment endoscopy or those diagnosed as high grade adenoma in the pretreatment forceps biopsy, we should consider combined malignant lesion. Therefore, treatment modalities ensuring accurate diagnosis and potentially curative resection, should be carefully selected and performed in cases which have these features.

Spectrum of final pathological diagnosis of gastric adenoma after endoscopic resection

AIM: To investigate how many discrepancies occur in patients before and after endoscopic treatment of referred adenoma and the reason for these results.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 554 cases of 534 patients who were referred from primary care centres for adenoma treatment and treated for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) at Chungnam National University Hospital, from July 2006 to June 2009. Re-endoscopy was examined in 142 cases and biopsy was performed in 108 cases prior to treatment. Three endoscopists (1, 2 and 3) performed all EMRs or ESDs and three pathologists (1, 2 and 3) diagnosed most of the cases. Transfer notes, medical records and endoscopic pictures of these cases were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS: Adenocarcinoma was 72 (13.0%) cases in total 554 cases after endoscopic treatment of referred adenoma. When the grade of dysplasia was high (55.0%), biopsy number was more than three (22.7%), size was no smaller than 2.0 cm (23.2%), morphologic type was depressed (35.8%) or yamada type IV (100%), and color was red (30.9%) or mixed-or-undetermined (25.0%), it had much more malignancy rate than the others (P < 0.05). All 18 cases diagnosed as adenocarcinoma in the re-endoscopic forceps biopsy were performed by endoscopist 1. There were different malignancy rates according to the pathologist (P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION: High grade dysplasia is the most im-portant factor for predicting malignancy as a final pathologic diagnosis before treating the referred gastric adenoma. This discrepancy can occur mainly through inappropriately selecting a biopsy site where cancer cells do not exist, but it also depends on the pathologist to some extent.

Preoperative local staging of esophageal carcinoma using dual-phase contrast-enhanced imaging with multi-detector row computed tomography: value of the arterial phase images

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether the accuracy of local extension (T-staging) of esophageal carcinoma could be improved with addition of arterial phase images by use of multi-detector row computed tomography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The institutional review board approved this study, and all the subjects provided informed consent. Dual-phase (the arterial and venous phases) contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed in 45 consecutive patients (39 men and 6 women; age range, 47-84 years) with 47 lesions of esophageal carcinoma who underwent surgical intervention. Two radiologists independently evaluated the T-staging of esophageal carcinoma on both phases. The T-staging on both the arterial and venous phase images was compared with the T-staging at histologic evaluation by means of a resected specimen (as the reference standard). Differences in the overall accuracy and sensitivity for the T-staging between the 2 phases were analyzed with the McNemar test.

RESULTS

The analysis of the interobserver agreement for T-staging showed almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.85 on the arterial phase and kappa = 0.93 on the venous phase). The overall accuracy in the arterial phase was significantly better than that in the venous phase (68% vs 51%, P < 0.01). The sensitivity values of the T-staging in the arterial phase were 0% in T1a, 71.4% in T1b, 12.5% in T2, 89.5% in T3, and 100% in T4. The sensitivity values in the venous phase were 0% in T1a, 14.3% in T1b, 0% in T2, 94.7% in T3, and 100% in T4. Statistical significance was apparent in the sensitivity of the T1b lesions.

CONCLUSION

The arterial phase can improve the accuracy of T-staging of esophageal carcinomas, especially early-staged lesions.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasms

BACKGROUND

The long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasms (ESCNs) have not been evaluated to date.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the long-term outcomes of ESD for ESCNs from our consecutive cases.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective study from a single institution.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION

From January 2002 to July 2008, 107 superficial ESCNs in 84 patients were treated by ESD. The enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups based on the lesion with the deepest invasion in each patient: group A, intraepithelial neoplasm or invasive carcinoma limited to the lamina propria mucosa and group B, invasive carcinoma deeper than the lamina propria mucosa.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Rates of en bloc resection, complete resection, and complication were evaluated as short-term outcomes. Overall survival, cause-specific survival, and postoperative stricture rates were evaluated as long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

The rates of en bloc resection and complete resection were 100% and 88%, respectively. Perforation accompanied by mediastinal emphysema was observed in 4 (4%) patients. No patient experienced massive bleeding. During the median observation of 632 days (range 8-2358), 15 (18%) patients experienced benign esophageal stricture with dysphagia, which was successfully managed by balloon dilation for a median of 2 sessions (range 1-20). One patient had local recurrence 6 months after ESD. In 2 patients with intramucosal invasive carcinomas in the muscularis mucosa, distant metastases were observed 9 and 18 months after ESD. During the observation period, 3 patients died of esophageal carcinoma. The 5-year cause-specific survival rates of groups A and B were 100% and 85%, respectively.

LIMITATIONS

This was a retrospective study with a relatively short follow-up and a small number of patients from a single institution.

CONCLUSION

This long-term follow-up study revealed that ESD is a potentially curative treatment for superficial ESCNs. There were substantial risks of perforation and stricture that were successfully managed endoscopically.

Endoscopic characteristics of gastric adenomas suggesting carcinomatous transformation

BACKGROUND

Currently, endoscopic resections, including endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), are widely performed for the management of gastric neoplasia. This study aimed to evaluate the potential predictive factors for carcinomas on the basis of endoscopic features.

METHODS

This study investigated 114 samples from 114 patients. Gastric adenoma was diagnosed initially for all the patients. The endoscopic findings were reviewed for location, size, gross appearance, surface nodularity, ulceration, surface color, and number of biopsy samples. These variables were analyzed and compared between an adenoma group (51 cases) and a carcinoma group (63 cases) on the basis of postresection diagnosis.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 62 years (range, 43-82 years), and 83 of the patients were men. The diameter of the lesions was 14.6 +/- 8.2 mm in the adenoma group and 15.4 +/- 7.4 mm in the carcinoma group. Depressed type, combined high-grade dysplasia, red discoloration, and mucosal ulceration were significant variables associated with carcinomas. In the multivariate analysis, combined high-grade dysplasia was a significant independent predictor of carcinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that patients with high-grade dysplasia on forceps biopsies should be considered candidates for endoscopic resection. Characteristics of gastric adenomas such as a depressed type, red color, and ulceration that may have foci of carcinomas in other parts of the adenomas also should be considered for endoscopic resection.

Clinical outcomes and patency of self-expanding metal stents in patients with malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction

This study was performed to evaluate clinical outcomes and factors associated with patency of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) in patients with malignant upper gastrointestinal (UGI) obstruction. In 83 patients with malignant UGI obstruction, 118 SEMS placements were performed. Obstruction sites were esophagus/gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) and gastric outlet (GO) in 41 and 42 patients, respectively. Technical success was achieved in 99.2% and clinical success in 90.5%, with no procedure-related complications. Re-obstruction and migration occurred in 38.1% during a mean follow-up of 137 days; both occurred significantly more often with GO than esophageal/GEJ obstruction (49.2% vs 23.9%). Patency rates of esophageal/GEJ obstruction were 93.5, 78.1 and 67.0% at 30, 90 and 180 days, respectively, and were significantly higher than those of GO obstruction-71.7, 51.8 and 32.5%. Palliative chemotherapy or radiation therapy was not associated with stent patency. Endoscopic SEMS placement is a safe and effective palliative treatment for malignant UGI obstruction, and complications or stent patency differed according to obstruction site.

Risk factors for delayed postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage in patients with gastric tumor

OBJECTIVE

Although endoscopic mucosal resection has been recognized as the standard treatment for gastric mucosal neoplasm, postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage remains a major complication of endoscopic mucosal resection, and this problem seems to be increasing owing to the development of invasive techniques. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and grade of postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage and to identify risk factors for delayed postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage in patients with gastric neoplasm.

METHODS

Data of endoscopic mucosal resections performed by three endoscopists were retrospectively collected over 8 years and then analyzed. Immediate postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage was defined as bleeding during the procedure. Delayed postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage was defined when two of the four following parameters were satisfied after the endoscopic mucosal resection period; (i) hematemesis, melena or dizziness, (ii) hemoglobin loss >2 g/dl, (iii) blood pressure decrease >20 mmHg or pulse rate increase >20/min and (iv) Forrest I or IIa-IIb on follow-up endoscopy.

RESULTS

A total of 157 patients (mean age: 64 years, male : female=44 : 113) were reviewed. Twenty-nine (18.5%) and 13 patients (8.3%) presented with immediate and delayed postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the patient's age (<or=65 years; odds ratio 6.11, 95% confidence interval 1.12-33.43), the size of lesion (>15 mm; odds ratio 5.90, 95% confidence interval 1.13-30.87) and the experience of the endoscopist (<or=5 years; odds ratio 16.31, 95% confidence interval 1.46-181.97) were significantly predictive variables for the delayed postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Considering the higher risk of delayed postendoscopic mucosal resection hemorrhage, careful preparation and close monitoring are required for patients who are less than 65 years, have large lesions over 15 mm or if the procedures were performed by an inexperienced endoscopist.

Palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia with self-expanding metal stents: a 12-year experience

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of oesophageal cancer is increasing but the prognosis is still very poor. Around 50% of patients have advanced disease when diagnosed. Stenting using expandable metal stents is primarily aimed at palliation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors influencing morbidity, procedure-related mortality and symptom relief for dysphagia in patients with unresectable oesophageal cancer treated with self-expanding metal stents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational clinical study of consecutive patients treated with self-expanding metal stents in the Department of Surgery, Danderyd Hospital, Sweden, between January 1993 and May 2005.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-four stents were placed in 149 patients. The procedure-related mortality was 3% and the complication rate 26%. Pre- and post-treatment dysphagia could be evaluated in 139 stent placements, and showed significant improvement of dysphagia symptoms in 70% of subjects (p<0.0001). Tumour length, tumour location, histology, age, gender or prior dilatation did not affect the outcome regarding procedure-related morbidity or symptom relief.

CONCLUSIONS

Palliation of malignant dysphagia with self-expanding metal stents is safe and confers almost immediate improvement of dysphagia in the majority of patients. Tumour-related and demographic factors do not seem to influence the outcome.

Palliative treatment of esophageal carcinoma with self-expanding plastic stents: a report on 69 cases

OBJECTIVES

The use of self-expandable plastic stents has offered a reasonable alternative of self-expandable metal stents in palliative treatment of esophageal malignancies, in the recent years. Studies and clinical data on the use of self-expandable plastic stents in esophageal cancer are, however, available in a very limited number. Here, we present the results of our 3-year study designed to evaluate the efficacy of self-expandable plastic stents in palliation of advanced esophageal carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2001 and February 2004, 69 patients with advanced nonoperable esophageal cancer were enrolled in the study and followed up until their death, after insertion of Polyflex self-expandable plastic stents. Dysphagia scores, Karnofsky indices and body weights were determined and compared in order to evaluate the effect of the stent insertion on general status and well-being of the patients.

RESULTS

Insertion of Polyflex self-expandable plastic stents and covered self-expandable metal stents was performed in 66 cases and in eight cases, respectively; in certain patients, owing to complications, more than one stent had to be inserted. In all cases, the insertion of stents has been performed without major complication and it has led to an instant improvement in swallowing and dysphagia scores. The rates of tumoral overgrowth and of stent migration were low. The mean follow-up time of our patients was 129 days (10-312 days).

CONCLUSION

In concordance with previous studies, according to our results, the use of self-expandable plastic stents in palliation of esophageal cancer seems to be safe and effective in improving the quality of life of these patients.

Flat gastric polyps: results of forceps biopsy, endoscopic mucosal resection, and long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Histological examination of specimens obtained by forceps biopsy sampling of gastric polyps is of limited accuracy, and their management on this basis is therefore controversial. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the value of forceps biopsy sampling in establishing the correct diagnosis revealed by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). The complication rate of EMR was also determined.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Subjects with gastric polyps of epithelial origin, of at least 0.5 cm in diameter, and not associated with polyposis syndromes, were included in the study. Between 1994 and 2004, 56 gastric polyps in 44 patients (30 F, 14 M, mean age 67 years) met the inclusion criteria. Indigo carmine dye staining and electronic magnification were used in all cases. Following forceps biopsy sampling, 56 EMRs were performed. The histological results of the forceps biopsy and the resected specimens were analyzed.

RESULTS

The initial forceps biopsies identified in situ carcinoma in 3 cases, adenoma with no dysplasia in 19, adenoma with low-grade dysplasia in 2, adenoma with moderate-grade dysplasia in 6, adenoma with high-grade dysplasia in 7, and hyperplastic lesions in 19 cases. The histological examination of the resected polyps revealed in situ carcinoma in 5 cases, carcinoid in 1, gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 1, adenoma with no dysplasia in 14, adenoma with low-grade dysplasia in 3, adenoma with moderate-grade dysplasia in 9, adenoma with high-grade dysplasia in 1, hyperplastic lesions in 21, and no diagnosis in 1 case. Complete agreement between the histological results on the forceps biopsy sample and on the ectomized polyp was seen in only 31 (55.3%) polyps. There were important disagreements in 12 cases. In 14 neoplastic and 1 hyperplastic polyps, the degree of dysplasia seen on histological examination of the forceps biopsy specimens differed from that observed for the resected specimens. Post-mucosectomy bleeding was observed in 3 patients, all of whom were successfully treated endoscopically.

CONCLUSIONS

Forceps biopsy is not sufficiently reliable for the identification of gastric polyps. These lesions should be fully resected by EMR for a final diagnosis and (depending on the lesion size and type) possibly definitive treatment.

[Mucosectomy as sufficient therapy for early squamous cell]

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus can be treated endoscopically under certain conditions. A carcinoma (T1a) limited to the mucosa with a low infiltration depth (m1-m2) and limited extent (< or =2 cm) can be removed by electrical snare with no risk of lymph node metastasis. Due to the increased risk of lymphatic spread, deeply infiltrating submucosal tumours (sm2-sm3) must be treated by surgical resection. Endoscopic resection (mucosectomy) is performed by electric snare and the cap method, additionally with APC coagulation or photodynamic therapy. Multifocal tumour growth and incomplete resection are both risk factors for local recurrence. If the strict conditions for endoscopic resection are fulfilled, the 5-year survival time of these patients with early cancer is no different from that of the population as a whole.

Novel endoscopic therapies for gastrointestinal malignancies: endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic ablation

Gastrointestinal malignancies are often detected at advanced stages when the prognosis is poor. Screening guidelines that vary accord-ing to the regional disease prevalence are needed. High-resolution endoscopy, magnification endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, light autofluorescence endoscopy, and optical coherence tomography are new technologies designed to improve endoscopic detection. Once detected, lesions must be accurately staged, including depth of mucosal penetration and lymph node involvement, to determine endoscopic resectability. Widely applicable, relatively safe, and minimally invasive alternatives to surgery are needed. Endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic ablation are potentially curative for malignancies limited to the mucosa, obviating the need for surgery in these patients.

Natural course of inoperable esophageal cancer treated with metallic expandable stents: quality of life and cost-effectiveness analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic therapy with self-expanding metallic endoprostheses in the management of malignant esophageal obstruction or stenosis and the cost-effectiveness of the method in patients suffering from primary esophageal carcinoma. All patients with inoperable esophageal cancers treated with either laser palliation or endoprosthesis insertion were studied retrospectively.

METHOD

Between May 1997 and December 2002 obstruction of the esophagus was diagnosed in 78 patients (52 male, 26 female, age range 53-102 years, mean 72.3 years). The etiology of obstruction was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 42) and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (n = 36). The site of obstruction was in the upper (n = 1), in the middle (n = 38) and in the lower esophagus (n = 39). In 16 cases the gastroesophageal junction was also involved. Four patients had broncho-esophageal fistulas. In all cases the tumor was considered non-resectable. A total of 89 Ultraflex metal stents were introduced endoscopically. In 46 patients dilation with Savary dilators prior to stent placement was required.

RESULTS

Stents were placed successfully in all patients. After 48 h, all patients were able to tolerate solid or semisolid food. During the follow-up period eight patients developed dysphagia due to food impaction (treated successfully endoscopically). Eleven patients presented with recurrent dysphagia 4-16 weeks after stenting due to tumor overgrowth and were treated with placement of a second stent. The median survival time was 18 weeks. There was no survival difference between squamous cell and esophageal adenocarcinoma. A cost-effective analysis was performed, comparing esophageal stenting with laser therapy. The mean survival and the cost were similar. A small difference of 156 Euro was noted (3.103 Euro and 2.947 Euro for each group of patients, respectively). A significant improvement in quality of life was noted in patients that underwent stenting (96% and 75%vs 71% and 57% for the first 2 months).

CONCLUSION

Placement of self-expanding metal stents is a safe and cost effective treatment modality that improve the quality of life, as compared with other palliative techniques, for patients with inoperable malignant esophageal obstructions. In cases of expansion of the mass a second stent can be used; however, the overall survival of these patients, is poor.

Treatment of recurrent malignant obstruction with a flexible covered metal stent after gastric surgery

BACKGROUND

The management of gastric outlet obstruction with expandable metallic stents is difficult and frequently is associated with late complications. A new, flexible, covered metal stent has been developed, which may be suitable for treatment of patients with recurrent malignant strictures after gastric surgery.

METHODS

The stainless-steel stent is covered by a polyethylene membrane. It has a proximal funnel attached to an expanded antimigratory segment 29 mm in diameter. The flexible covering membrane connects isolated distal segments that are 20 mm in diameter. The stent is preloaded in a 6.7-mm-diameter introducer system. The structural features and the increased flexibility of this new prosthesis are intended to reduce the risk of migration and the frequency of late complications, and to broaden the range of applications.

RESULTS

This stent was used to successfully treat two patients with recurrent tortuous malignant strictures after partial or complete gastrectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This new flexible, polyethylene-covered stent potentially is a new alternative for the palliation of patients with recurrent, inoperable gastric malignant strictures.