Successful endoscopic mucosal resection of a low esophageal carcinoid tumor

Role of Advanced Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in the Comprehensive Management of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), also called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), are relatively uncommon, heterogenous tumors primarily originating in the gastrointestinal tract. With the improvement in technology and increasing use of cross-sectional imaging and endoscopy, they are being discovered with increasing frequency. Although traditionally considered indolent tumors with good prognoses, some NENs exhibit aggressive behavior. Timely diagnosis, risk stratification, and management can often be a challenge. In general, small NENs without local invasion or lymphovascular involvement can often be managed using minimally invasive advanced endoscopic techniques, while larger lesions and those with evidence of lymphovascular invasion require surgery, systemic therapy, or a combination thereof. Ideal management requires a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the stage and grade of the tumor. With the recent advancements, a therapeutic advanced endoscopist can play a pivotal role in diagnosing, staging, and managing this rare condition. High-definition white light imaging and digital image enhancing technologies like narrow band imaging (NBI) in the newer endoscopes have improved the diagnostic accuracy of traditional endoscopy. The refinement of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) over the past decade has revolutionized the role of endoscopy in diagnosing and managing various pathologies, including NENs. In addition to EUS-directed diagnostic biopsies, it also offers the ability to precisely assess the depth of invasion and lymphovascular involvement and thus stage NENs accurately. EUS-directed locoregional ablative therapies are increasingly recognized as highly effective, minimally invasive treatment modalities for NENs, particularly pancreatic NENs. Advanced endoscopic resection techniques like endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), endoscopic submucosal resection (EMR), and endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) have been increasingly used over the past decade with excellent results in achieving curative resection of various early-stage gastrointestinal luminal lesions including NENs. In this article, we aim to delineate NENs of the different segments of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (esophagus, gastric, pancreatic, and small and large intestine) and their management with emphasis on the endoscopic management of these tumors.

Contemporary outcomes of esophageal and gastroesophageal junction neuroendocrine tumors

Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell esophageal cancers have been extensively studied in the literature. Esophageal neuroendocrine (NET)/carcinoid tumors are less commonly studied and have only been described in small series. The purpose of this study was to describe the demographics and natural history of esophageal NETs, as well as optimal treatments. We hypothesized that surgical resection would be the best treatment of esophageal NETs. The National Cancer Database was used to identify adult patients with esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer from 2004 to 2018. Patients were characterized as carcinoid/NET, adenocarcinoma, or squamous cell cancer. Clinical and demographic characteristics were compared between the histology groups. The primary outcome was overall survival, which was assessed by multivariable Cox analysis. Multivariable Cox analysis was also used to analyze factors associated with survival among NET patients who underwent surgery. Among 206,321 patients with esophageal cancer, 1,563 were NETs (<0.01%). Relative to the other two histologies, NETs were associated with younger age, female sex, and advanced clinical stage at diagnosis. Multivariate analysis suggested that NETs were less likely to be treated with surgical resection (OR 0.51, P < 0.001). Nonetheless, surgical resection was associated with improved survival (HR 0.64, P = 0.003). Among patients with NETs who received surgery, neoadjuvant therapy was associated with improved overall survival (HR 0.38, P = 0.013). NET of the esophagus presents with more advanced disease than other common histologies. Among patients with nonmetastatic cancer, surgical resection appears to be the best treatment. Neoadjuvant systemic therapy may offer survival benefit, but future studies are necessary.

A rare rarity: Neuroendocrine tumor of the esophagus

Esophageal Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare, aggressive and lacking specific symptoms. This causes a diagnostic delay, worsening the prognosis. Numerous cases are reported in literature, without a consensus on the management. Our aim was to clarify epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic, therapeutic management of esophageal NETs. Extensive literature search identified a total of 226 articles. One hundred twenty-five articles (n = 1676) met the inclusion criteria, showing that: the incidence of esophageal NET varies geographically; men (60-70 years) are more affected; smoking and alcohol abuse are the major risk factors; dysphagia, weight loss, appetite loss are the most common clinical features. The histotypes include high-grade small and large cell esophageal carcinomas and low-grade carcinoid tumors. Mixed neuroendocrine/non-neuroendocrine neoplasms are the most common. Often the diagnosis occurs randomly on endoscopic examination. Circulating markers, functional combined with conventional imaging contributes to the diagnosis and management. Treatment depends on type, grade and stage of the tumor.

Carcinoid tumour of the oesophagus: a systematic review

Introduction

Knowledge about oesophageal carcinoids is based primarily on case reports, and therefore information about them is incomplete.

Aim

To collect information on oesophageal carcinoid tumours in a systematic review study.

Material and methods

Databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for the characteristics of oesophageal carcinoid tumour. Studies included original articles, case series, or case reports, reporting at least one of the characteristics of benign carcinoid tumour or carcinoid tumour.

Results

Out of 670 studies searched, after evaluation and excluding non-relevant studies, 14 studies were included and analysed in the systematic review. These studies included 19 patients with carcinoid tumour of whom 57.9% were males with a mean age of 55.5 years. Dysphagia and weight loss were the most prevalent symptoms and signs in the patients. Lower oesophagus was the most prevalent site of tumour.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis showed that the mean age at diagnosis of oesophageal carcinoid was around 55 years, with 1.4 times greater prevalence among males, and located mainly in the distal oesophagus. The mean tumour size was 2.4 cm. The main symptoms and signs of this disease were dysphagia, weight loss, and reflux. The tumour behaviour was mainly non-aggressive except for cases associated with adenocarcinoma.

Primary neuroendocrine neoplasm of the esophagus - Report of 14 cases from a single institute and review of the literature

BACKGROUND:

Most prevalent esophageal neoplasm is squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Other tumors are uncommon and poorly studied. Primary neuroendocrine esophageal neoplasm is a rare carcinoma and most of its therapy management is based on lung neuroendocrine studies. Neuroendocrine tumors can be clustered in the following subtypes: high grade (small cell carcinoma or large cell carcinoma) and low grade (carcinoids).

OBJECTIVE:

The present study aims to assess clinical and pathological neuroendocrine esophageal tumors in a single oncologic center.

METHODS:

A retrospective analysis of patients and review of the literatures was performed.

RESULTS:

Fourteen patients were identified as neuroendocrine tumors, 11 male and 3 female patients. Mean age was 67.3 years old. Ten patients were classified as small cell, 3 as large cell and 1 as carcinoid. Four patients presented squamous cell carcinoma simultaneously and 1 also presented adenocarcinoma. Main sites of metastasis were liver, peritoneum, lung and bones. Most patients died before 2 years of follow-up. Patient with longer survival died at 35 months after diagnosis.

CONCLUSION:

Neuroendocrine esophageal tumors are rare; affect mainly men in their sixties or seventies. High grade tumors can be mixed to other subtypes neoplasms, such as adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Most of these patients have poor overall survival rates.

Quality Indicators for Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy (CE) enables evaluation of the entire mucosal surface of the small bowel (SB), which is one of the most important steps for evaluating obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Although the diagnostic yield of SB CE depends on many clinical factors, there are no reports on quality indicators. Thus, the Korean Gut Image Study Group (KGISG) publishes an article titled, “Quality Indicators for Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy” under approval from the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (KSGE). Herein, we initially identified process quality indicators, while the structural and outcome indicators are reserved until sufficient clinical data are accumulated. We believe that outcomes of SB CE can be improved by trying to meet our proposed quality indicators.

A 13-year time trend analysis of 3724 small bowel video capsule endoscopies and a forecast model during the financial crisis in Greece

INTRODUCTION

Since its introduction, small bowel video capsule endoscopy (VCE) use has evolved considerably.

AIM

Evaluation of the temporal changes of small bowel VCE utilization in three tertiary centers in Greece in Era 1 (2002-2009) and Era 2 (2010-2014) and the development a forecast model for future VCE use during 2015-2017.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from all small bowel VCE examinations were retrieved and analyzed in terms of the annual number of the performed examinations, their indications and the significance of their findings.

RESULTS

Overall, we evaluated 3724 VCE examinations. The number of studies peaked in 2009 (n=595) and then decreased to reach 225 in 2014. Overall, more (53.8 vs. 51.4%) patients with iron-deficiency anemia and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (IDA/OGIB) and fewer (10.7 vs. 14%) patients with chronic diarrhea were evaluated in Era 2 compared with Era 1 (P=0.046). In Era 2, there were more nondiagnostic examinations (39.5 vs. 29.3%, P<0.001), whereas the rate of cases with relevant findings decreased from 47.8 to 40.9%. According to the time trend analysis, we developed a forecast model with two scenarios: the pessimistic and the optimistic. Validation of the model with 2015 data showed that reality was close to the pessimistic scenario: the number of exams further decreased to 190, studies carried out for IDA/OGIB increased to 67%, and there were more negative than positive exams (40.7 vs. 39.2%).

CONCLUSION

The number of VCE studies carried out after the emergence of the financial crisis decreased significantly and VCE indications were optimized. Our forecast model predicts lower numbers of VCE studies, with IDA/OGIB being the dominant indication. However, the predicted increase of negative exams requires further evaluation.

Endoscopic resection using band ligation for esophageal SMT in less than 10 mm

AIM: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of endoscopic resection using band ligation (EMR-B) for the diagnostic and therapeutic removal of tumors located in the esophageal subepithelial region having originated from the submucosa.

METHODS: From May 2009 to September 2014, after medical chart and endoscopic ultrasonography report review, a total of 15 esophageal tumors located in the submucosal layer were resected by EMR-B. Previous symptom, location, pathology, complete resection rate, incidence of complications, incidence of minor complication, size, length of procedures time and follow up months were evaluated. To evaluate local recurrence at the resection site, periodic follow-up endoscopic examination was undertaken in all of the patients. The first endoscopic examination was performed about 6 mo after the endoscopic resection. Thereafter, the endoscopic follow up were scheduled annually.

RESULTS: The mean age was 50.3 ± 9.67 years. The mean tumor size was 6.93 ± 3.15 mm and most of the lesions size was between 5-10 mm in diameter (10/15, 66.6%). In all patients, endoscopic en bloc resection was achieved. In one patient, the vertical margin was involved. The mean procedural time was 8.86 ± 3.66 min. In all patients, no evidence of severe complications such as perforation or bleeding occurred. Minor complications such as chest pain (2/15, 13.3%) and heartburn (3/15, 13.3%) were reported but they symptoms were controlled by proton pump inhibitors, ulcermin and/or analgesics. Histologic assessments of the removed specimens revealed 10 granular cell tumors (66.6%), 4 leiomyomas (16.6%) and one lipoma (6.6%). No recurrence was observed during the mean follow up period of 45 ± 3.5 mo (range: 5-64 mo).

CONCLUSION: EMR-B might be considered safe and effective for the diagnosis and treatment of lesions measuring less than 10 mm in diameter.