Anthropometry, body fat composition and reproductive factors and risk of oesophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite in the UK Biobank cohort

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been positively associated with upper gastrointestinal cancers, but prospective data by subtype/subsite are limited. Obesity influences hormonal factors, which may play a role in these cancers. We examined anthropometry, body fat and reproductive factors in relation to oesophageal and gastric cancer by subtype/subsite in the UK Biobank cohort.

METHODS

Among 458,713 UK Biobank participants, 339 oesophageal adenocarcinomas, 124 oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas, 137 gastric cardia and 92 gastric non-cardia cancers were diagnosed during a mean of 6.5 years follow-up. Cox models estimated multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, total body fat and trunk fat were positively associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma (highest vs lowest category: HR = 2.33, 95%-CI:1.65-3.28; HR = 1.56, 95%-CI:1.15-2.13; HR = 2.30, 95%-CI:1.47-3.57; HR = 1.71, 95%-CI:1.01-2.90; HR = 2.87, 95%-CI:1.88-4.38; HR = 1.96, 95%-CI:1.30-2.96; HR = 2.34, 95%-CI:1.70-3.22, respectively). Although there were no statistically significant associations in combined sex analyses, BMI (HR = 1.83, 95%-CI:1.00-3.37), waist circumference (HR = 2.21, 95%-CI:1.27-3.84) and waist-to-hip ratio (HR = 1.92, 95%-CI:1.11-3.29) were associated with gastric cardia cancer in men; however, mutual adjustment attenuated the associations for BMI and waist-to-hip ratio. For oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, statistically significant inverse associations were observed among women for BMI, hip circumference, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, total body fat and trunk fat, although they were based on small numbers. In addition, older age at first (HR = 0.44, 95%-CI:0.22-0.88) and last live birth (HR = 0.44, 95%-CI:0.22-0.87) were inversely associated with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and having a stillbirth/miscarriage/termination was positively associated (HR = 1.84, 95%-CI:1.10-3.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity and abdominal obesity specifically may be a risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cardia cancer in men. Some reproductive factors may be associated with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in women.

True esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma: background of its definition and current surgical trends

The definition of true esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma and its surgical treatment are debatable. We review the basis for the current definition and the Japanese surgical strategy in managing true EGJ adenocarcinoma. The Siewert classification is a well-known anatomical classification system for EGJ adenocarcinomas: type II tumors in the region 1 cm above and 2 cm below the EGJ are described as "true carcinoma of the cardia". Coincidentally, this range matches gastric cardiac gland distribution. Conversely, Nishi's classification is generally used to describe EGJ carcinomas, defined as tumors with the center located within 2 cm above and 2 cm below the EGJ, regardless of their histological subtype. This range coincides with the extent of the lower esophageal sphincter combined with gastric cardiac gland distribution. The current Japanese surgical strategy focuses on the tumor range from the EGJ to the esophagus and stomach. According to previous studies, the strategy can be roughly classified into three types. The optimal surgical procedure for true EGJ adenocarcinoma is controversial. However, an ongoing Japanese nationwide prospective trial will help confirm the appropriate standard surgery, including the optimal extent of lymph node dissection.

Anthropometric and reproductive factors and risk of esophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort

Obesity has been associated with upper gastrointestinal cancers; however, there are limited prospective data on associations by subtype/subsite. Obesity can impact hormonal factors, which have been hypothesized to play a role in these cancers. We investigated anthropometric and reproductive factors in relation to esophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite for 476,160 participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox models. During a mean follow-up of 14 years, 220 esophageal adenocarcinomas (EA), 195 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, 243 gastric cardia (GC) and 373 gastric noncardia (GNC) cancers were diagnosed. Body mass index (BMI) was associated with EA in men (BMI ≥30 vs. 18.5-25 kg/m2 : HR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.25-3.03) and women (HR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.15-6.19); however, adjustment for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) attenuated these associations. After mutual adjustment for BMI and HC, respectively, WHR and waist circumference (WC) were associated with EA in men (HR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.99-6.06 for WHR >0.96 vs. <0.91; HR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.52-4.72 for WC >98 vs. <90 cm) and women (HR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.35-14.33 for WHR >0.82 vs. <0.76; HR = 5.67, 95% CI: 1.76-18.26 for WC >84 vs. <74 cm). WHR was also positively associated with GC in women, and WC was positively associated with GC in men. Inverse associations were observed between parity and EA (HR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.14-0.99; >2 vs. 0) and age at first pregnancy and GNC (HR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32-0.91; >26 vs. <22 years); whereas bilateral ovariectomy was positively associated with GNC (HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.04-3.36). These findings support a role for hormonal pathways in upper gastrointestinal cancers.

High expression of cytokeratin CAM5.2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with poor prognosis

Esophageal cancer is a common human malignant tumor with high mortality. Glandular epithelial markers, such as CAM5.2, can be expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the clinical significance of these cells in ESCC remains elusive.Immunohistochemical analysis of CAM5.2 was performed on 604 ESCC specimens using tissue microarray. Our study design and study population used retrospective cohorts based on the hospital information system and pathological information management system which included medical information, date of admission, procedures undergone, registration, examinations, and medication.In total, positive staining of CAM5.2 was 145 of 604 (24%). Statistical analysis showed that the expression of CAM5.2 had no relationship with sex, age, tumor differentiation, tumor size, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification, and lymph node metastasis, but it was significantly associated with poor prognosis of overall survival (P = .0041) and disease-free survival (P = .0048) in ESCC patients.Herein, we report for the first time that the high expression of the CAM 5.2 is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with ESCC.

Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Cancers, Version 2.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histology in Eastern Europe and Asia, and adenocarcinoma is most common in North America and Western Europe. Surgery is a major component of treatment of locally advanced resectable esophageal and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer, and randomized trials have shown that the addition of preoperative chemoradiation or perioperative chemotherapy to surgery significantly improves survival. Targeted therapies including trastuzumab, ramucirumab, and pembrolizumab have produced encouraging results in the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic disease. Multidisciplinary team management is essential for all patients with esophageal and EGJ cancers. This selection from the NCCN Guidelines for Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Cancers focuses on recommendations for the management of locally advanced and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and EGJ.

[Radiological evaluation on invasive extent of adenocarcin-oma of esophagogastric junction]

The accurate judgement of the upper and lower borders of the adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) by radiology can facilitate the decisions on surgical approach and staging criteria. X-ray double contrast radiography, CT and MRI are the common modalities. The accuracy of X-ray double contrast radiography in determining the invasion length of esophagus and the central point of gastric infiltration can be improved by standardized pretreatment, combination of multiple contrast methods such as double contrast and flow-coating procedure, and combination of multi-angle observations such as conventional frontal, left /right anterior oblique and supine right posterior oblique position. Abdominal enhanced CT is the imaging method recommended by clinical guidelines for the radiological examination of AEG. The relative position of the central point of the tumor from 2 cm line can be determined through the combination of measurement and formula calculation on multi-planar reconstructed CT images. The "three-layer four-type" classification can provide reference for the selection of abdominothoracic incision. The direct demonstration of the tumor extension can be achieved through the CT curved planar reconstruction by drawing lines along esophagus to stomach. The combination of multiple sequences of MRI is helpful to determine the extension of the lesions. In the future, more radiological studies are needed to establish criteria with high accuracy, repeatability and convenient operation,and to assist clinical evaluation of AEG invasion.

[Survival comparison of Siewert II adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction between transthoracic and transabdominal approaches:a joint data analysis of thoracic and gastrointestinal surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the long-term survival outcomes of Siewert II adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) between transthoracic (TT) approach and transabdominal (TA) approach.

METHODS

The databases of Gastrointestinal Surgery Department and Thoracic Surgery Department in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2006 to 2014 were integrated. Patients of Siewert II AEG who underwent resection were retrospectively collected.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

(1) adenocarcinoma confirmed by gastroscopy and biopsy; (2) tumor involvement in the esophagogastric junction line; (3) tumor locating from lower 5 cm to upper 5 cm of the esophagogastric junction line, and tumor center locating from upper 1 cm to lower 2 cm of esophagogastric junction line; (4)resection performed at thoracic surgery department or gastrointestinal surgery department; (5) complete follow-up data. Patients at thoracic surgery department received trans-left thoracic, trans-right thoracic, or transabdominothoracic approach; underwent lower esophagus resection plus proximal subtotal gastrectomy; selected two-field or three-field lymph node dissection; underwent digestive tract reconstruction with esophagus-remnant stomach or esophagus-tubular remnant stomach anastomosis above or below aortic arch using hand-sewn or stapler instrument to perform anastomosis. Patients at gastrointestinal surgery department received transabdominal(transhiatal approach), or transabdominothoracic approach; underwent total gastrectomy or proximal subtotal gastrectomy; selected D1, D2 or D2 lymph node dissection; underwent digestive tract reconstruction with esophagus-single tube jejunum or esophagus-jejunal pouch Roux-en-Y anastomosis, or esophagus-remnant stomach or esophagus-tubular remnant stomach anastomosis; completed all the anastomoses with stapler instruments. The follow-up ended in January 2018. The TNM stage system of the 8th edition UICC was used for esophageal cancer staging; survival table method was applied to calculate 3-year overall survival rate and 95% cofidence interval(CI); log-rank test was used to perform survival analysis; Cox regression was applied to analyze risk factors and calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95%CI.

RESULTS

A total of 443 cases of Siewert II AEG were enrolled, including 89 cases in TT group (with 3 cases of transabdominothoracic approach) and 354 cases in TA group. Median follow-up time was 50.0 months (quartiles:26.4-70.2). The baseline data in TT and TA groups were comparable, except the length of esophageal invasion [for length <3 cm, TA group had 354 cases(100%), TT group had 44 cases (49.4%), χ²=199.23,P<0.001]. The number of harvested lymph node in thoracic surgery department and gastrointestinal surgery department were 12.0(quartiles:9.0-17.0) and 24.0(quartiles:18.0-32.5) respectively with significant difference (Z=11.29,P<0.001). The 3-year overall survival rate of TA and TT groups was 69.2%(95%CI:64.1%-73.7%) and 55.8% (95%CI:44.8%-65.4%) respectively, which was not significantly different by log-rank test (P=0.059). However, the stage III subgroup analysis showed that the survival of TA group was better [the 3-year overall survival in TA group and TT group was 78.1%(95%CI:70.5-84.0) and 46.3%(95%CI:31.0-60.3) resepectively(P=0.001)]. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the TT group had poor survival outcome (HR=2.45,95%CI:1.30-4.64, P=0.006).

CONCLUSION

The overall survival outcomes in the TA group are better, especially in stage III patients, which may be associated with the higher metastatic rate of abdominal lymph node and the more complete lymphadenectomy via TA approach.

[Effects of robotic and laparoscopic-assisted surgery on lymph node dissection and short-term outcomes in patients with Siewert II adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of robotic and laparoscopic-assisted radical total gastrectomy on lymph node dissection and short-term outcomes in patients with Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG).

METHODS

Inclusion criteria: the tumor center was located between 2 cm above and below the esophagogastric junction and was confirmed as adenocarcinoma by endoscopic biopsy.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

tumor with local invasion of the liver,spleen, pancreas or other organs; intraoperative finding of tumor dissemination or distant metastasis; patients undergoing palliative surgical treatment or preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy; patients with serious heart diseases, lung diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases and other comorbidities; patients with multiple primary cancers;patients receiving emergency surgery. According to the above criteria, 82 patients with Siewert type II AEG who underwent gastrointestinal surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2014 to October 2018 were enrolled in the study. They were randomly divided into robotic surgery groups (41 cases) and laparoscopic group (41 cases) according to a computer-generated randomized allocation table. Both groups underwent radical total gastrectomy plus D2 lymph node dissection through the transabdominal esophageal hiatus approach. The intraoperative conditions and postoperative short-term outcomes were compared between two groups, including surgery time, intraoperative blood loss, length of esophagectomy, postoperative complications, postoperative gastrointestinal recovery time, length of hospital stay, postoperative unplanned reoperation rate and rehospitalization rate. Mean±SD is used for the measurement data that conforms to the normal distribution, and two independent sample t-tests are used to compare the two groups; the comparison of the count data is performed by the χ² test.

RESULTS

There were 35 males (85.4%) with age of (62.3±10.0) years and body mass index of (24.4±3.2) kg/m² in the robotic surgery group. There were 37 males (90.2%) with age of (62.5±10.0) years and body mass index of (23.8±2.6) kg/m² in the laparoscopic group. No significant differences in the baseline data between two groups were found (all P>0.05). All the patients of both groups completed R0 resection successfully without conversion to laparotomy or perioperative death. Compared with the laparoscopic group, the robotic group had less intraoperative blood loss [(70.7±39.9) ml vs. (110.2±70.6) ml, t=3.118, P=0.003], longer resected esophagus [(3.0±0.7) cm vs. (1.9±0.5) cm, t=8.759, P<0.001], but longer setup time [(56.5±7.4) minutes vs. (36.0±6.6) minutes, t=4.241, P<0.001], and higher hospitalization costs [(122 317.31±57 789.33) yuan vs. (99 401.56±39 349.53) yuan, t=2.099, P=0.039], whose differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The total number of harvested lymph node in the robotic surgery group was 39.2±15.3,which was significantly higher than that in the laparoscopic group (33.0±12.1) (t=0.733, P=0.047). In the robotic group and the laparoscopic group, the mediastinal lymph node No.110 and No.111 were 3.6±1.2 vs. 1.5±1.0 and 3.7±2.0 vs. 1.8±1.1, respectively, with significant difference (t=10.138, P<0.001, t=8.227, P<0.001); axillary lymph node No.19 and No.20 were 2.3±1.2 vs. 1.1±0.9 and 2.0±1.0 vs. 1.0±0.1, respectively, with significant difference (t=7.082, P<0.001,t=8.672,P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the total number of abdominal lymph node and the number of lymph node in abdominal stations between two group (all P>0.05). The highest lymph node metastasis rate was approximately 20% and observed in No.1, No.2, No.3, and No.7, followed by No.8a, No.9, No.11p, and No.110 with around 5%. The lymph node metastasis rate in other stations (No.4sa, No.4sb, No.4d, No.5, No.6, No.11d, No.12a, No.19, No.20 and No.111) was less than 5%.There were no significant differences in postoperative complication rate, postoperative fever time, postoperative exhaust and defecation time, fluid diet time, and postoperative hospital stay (all P>0.05). There were 2 patients(4.9%) with unplanned reoperation and 1 patient (2.4%) with unplanned re-admission in the laparoscopic group,while 3 patients (7.3%)with unplanned reoperation and 2 patients (4.9%)with unplanned re-admission in the robotic surgery group, whose differences were also not statistically significant (χ²=0.240,P=0.675;χ²=0.346,P=1.000).

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted radical total gastrectomy for Siewert II AEG is safe and feasible, which is characterized by more sophisticated operation, less blood loss and higher quality of lymph node dissection, especially for subphrenic and inferior mediastinal lymph nodes.

[Comparison of the superiority of different TNM staging systems in Siewert III adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prognostic value of TNM staging systems in the 7th edition and the 8th edition AJCC in Siewert III adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG).

METHODS

Data of 160 patients with Siewert III AEG who underwent radical surgery (R0) from January 2009 to January 2013 in PLA General Hospital were collected retrospectively. Exclusion standards:(1)preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy;(2)with distant metastasis before or during operation;(3)palliative operation or R1/R2 resection;(4)pathological type as non-adenocarcinoma;(5)number of retrieved lymph nodes less than 16;(6)diagnosed with other malignant tumors concurrently or within 5 years after operation;(7)incomplete clinical or follow-up data. According to the above criteria, 160 patients were included in this study finally. All the patients underwent radical total or proximal gastrectomy by abdominal approach. D1 or D1+ lymph node dissection was performed in early patients and D2 in advanced patients. All the patients were re-staged by the gastric cancer TNM7 (G7), the gastric cancer TNM8 (G8) and the esophageal cancer TNM7(E7). Univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis were performed. Kappa value and Akaike's information criterion (AIC, the less AIC, the better prognosis) value were compared between different staging systems in agreement and predicting prognosis.

RESULTS

There were 128 males and 32 females(sex ratio 4:1), and the average age was (60.2±11.6) years and 17 patients with basic disease. Of all the patients, 133 cases (83.1%) underwent radical total gastrectomy and 27 cases (16.9%) underwent proximal gastrectomy. The median number of dissected lymph nodes were 31 and the median number of positive lymph nodes were 4. Multivariate analysis showed that the G7, G8, E7 staging systems were independent prognostic factors (HR=1.374, 1.407 and 1.305 respectively,all P<0.001). Stage migration between G7 and G8 were only observed in IIIA, IIIB and IIIC, and stage migration rate was 8.1% (13/160), and the agreement was very good (weighted Kappa 0.904, P<0.001). However, the difference between G8 and E7 was quite obvious, stage migration rate was 40.6%(65/160), and the agreement between G8 and E7 was not satisfied (weighted Kappa 0.536, P<0.001). AIC value was 811.4 in G8, 812.8 in G7 and 815.9 in E7, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Compared with G7 and E7 staging systems, the G8 staging system is superior in predicting the prognosis of patients with Siewert III AEG.

[Esophagogastric junction and its tumours - comments to definition and classification]

In spite of the worldwide decreasing incidence of gastric cancer the number of esophagogastric junction and proximal third of stomach carcinomas has been gradually growing up. The reason of that is an increasing incidence of reflux esophagitis with Barrett´s metaplasia and a successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of this work is to provide various views on definition of the esophagogastric junction and to give an overview of tumours classification schemes being used.

Cancer of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction-Major changes in the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition cancer staging manual

Answer questions and earn CME/CNE New to the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual for epithelial cancers of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction are separate, temporally related cancer classifications: 1) before treatment decision (clinical); 2) after esophagectomy alone (pathologic); and 3) after preresection therapy followed by esophagectomy (postneoadjuvant pathologic). The addition of clinical and postneoadjuvant pathologic stage groupings was driven by a lack of correspondence of survival, and thus prognosis, between both clinical and postneoadjuvant pathologic cancer categories (facts about the cancer) and pathologic categories. This was revealed by a machine-learning analysis of 6-continent data from the Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration, with consensus of the AJCC Upper GI Expert Panel. Survival is markedly affected by histopathologic cell type (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma) in clinically and pathologically staged patients, requiring separate stage grouping for each cell type. However, postneoadjuvant pathologic stage groups are identical. For the future, more refined and granular data are needed. This requires: 1) more accurate clinical staging; 2) innovative solutions to pathologic staging challenges in endoscopically resected cancers; 3) integration of genomics into staging; and 4) precision cancer care with targeted therapy. It is the responsibility of the oncology team to accurately determine and record registry data, which requires eliminating both common errors and those related to incompleteness and inconsistency. Despite the new complexity of eighth edition staging of cancers of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction, these key concepts and new directions will facilitate precision cancer care. CA Cancer J Clin 2017;67:304-317. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

New magnifying endoscopic classification for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM

To assess the accuracy of a new magnifying endoscopy (ME) classification for predicting depth of invasion of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC).

METHODS

This study included a total of 70 lesions in 69 patients with SESCC who underwent ME with narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI) before resection from August 2010 to July 2016. Accuracy of ME-NBI for predicting depth of invasion of SESCC was analyzed by using a new ME classification proposed by the Japan Esophageal Society (JES), and interobserver agreement was assessed.

RESULTS

Overall accuracy of ME-NBI for estimating depth of invasion of SESCC was 78.6%. Sensitivity and specificity of type B1 for tumors limited to the epithelial layer (m1) or invading into the lamina propria (m2) were 71.4% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of type B2 for tumors invading into the muscularis mucosa (m3) or superficial submucosa (≤ 200 μm, sm1) were 94.4% and 73.1%, respectively, while those of type B3 for tumors invading into the deep submucosa (> 200 μm, sm2) were 75.0% and 97.8%, respectively. Interobserver agreement was excellent (κ = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.76-0.95).

CONCLUSION

The recently developed JES ME classification is useful for predicting depth of invasion of SESCC, with reliable interobserver agreement.

New magnifying endoscopic classification for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM

To assess the accuracy of a new magnifying endoscopy (ME) classification for predicting depth of invasion of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC).

METHODS

This study included a total of 70 lesions in 69 patients with SESCC who underwent ME with narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI) before resection from August 2010 to July 2016. Accuracy of ME-NBI for predicting depth of invasion of SESCC was analyzed by using a new ME classification proposed by the Japan Esophageal Society (JES), and interobserver agreement was assessed.

RESULTS

Overall accuracy of ME-NBI for estimating depth of invasion of SESCC was 78.6%. Sensitivity and specificity of type B1 for tumors limited to the epithelial layer (m1) or invading into the lamina propria (m2) were 71.4% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of type B2 for tumors invading into the muscularis mucosa (m3) or superficial submucosa (≤ 200 μm, sm1) were 94.4% and 73.1%, respectively, while those of type B3 for tumors invading into the deep submucosa (> 200 μm, sm2) were 75.0% and 97.8%, respectively. Interobserver agreement was excellent (κ = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.76-0.95).

CONCLUSION

The recently developed JES ME classification is useful for predicting depth of invasion of SESCC, with reliable interobserver agreement.

A Multi-Institutional Study Comparing the Use of the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th Edition Esophageal versus Gastric Staging System for Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer in a Western Population

Controversy exists over the staging of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinomas. The aim of our study was to assess the adequacy of the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th edition esophageal (E7) and gastric (G7) staging systems for GEJ tumors in a western population. All patients with GEJ adenocarcinoma who underwent curative resection from 2000 to 2012 were identified from the United States Gastric Cancer Collaborative database and assessed according to the E7 and G7 systems. Fifty-one patients were identified. Neither the E7 nor G7 system adequately stratified patients by T or N stage with a loss of distinctiveness between T1 to 4 and N0 to 3 tumors. On final stage analysis, the outcomes were similar between both systems; however, neither system, with the exception of the G7 stage I versus II, adequately stratified patients by stage (E7: I vs II, P = 0.07; II vs III, P = 0.23; G7: I vs II, P = 0.02; II vs III, P = 0.13). Histologic grade was not associated with survival (P = 0.27) and did not improve the ability to stratify patients in the E7 system. Our study identifies limitations in the proper stratification of patients with GEJ adenocarcinoma using either the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th esophageal or gastric systems. The classification of GEJ adenocarcinoma within either system needs to be further studied in a larger patient population.

Mutational signatures in esophageal adenocarcinoma define etiologically distinct subgroups with therapeutic relevance

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has a poor outcome, and targeted therapy trials have thus far been disappointing owing to a lack of robust stratification methods. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of 129 cases demonstrated that this is a heterogeneous cancer dominated by copy number alterations with frequent large-scale rearrangements. Co-amplification of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and/or downstream mitogenic activation is almost ubiquitous; thus tailored combination RTK inhibitor (RTKi) therapy might be required, as we demonstrate in vitro. However, mutational signatures showed three distinct molecular subtypes with potential therapeutic relevance, which we verified in an independent cohort (n = 87): (i) enrichment for BRCA signature with prevalent defects in the homologous recombination pathway; (ii) dominant T>G mutational pattern associated with a high mutational load and neoantigen burden; and (iii) C>A/T mutational pattern with evidence of an aging imprint. These subtypes could be ascertained using a clinically applicable sequencing strategy (low coverage) as a basis for therapy selection.

[Optimal lymphadenectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer: three-field or modified two-field lymphadenectomy]

Differences in operative procedure and knowledge of esophageal cancer exist among surgeons from different countries and regions. There is controversy in the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer, especially in the extent of lymphadenectomy. Until now, results of the three-field lymphadenectomy and two-field lymphadenectomy are mostly reported by retrospective studies from Japan and China. Three-field lymphadenectomy has been initiated in Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital since 1990s. After evaluating our database, we found that three-field was superior to two-field lymphadenectomy in terms of long-term survival for patients with upper thoracic esophageal cancer, whereas for those with middle or lower thoracic esophageal cancer, the survival benefit of three-field lymphadenectomy was reduced. Therefore, we propose to perform three-field lymphadenectomy for upper thoracic esophageal cancer. In middle or lower thoracic esophageal cancer, we suggest to perform modified two-field lymphadenectomy in most cases, and three-field lymphadenectomy in selective cases. Video-assisted two-field lymphadenectomy is feasible. Based on the national condition of China, we advise to perform thoracic duct removal only in patients with posterior mediastinal or peri-ductus node metastasis to achieve curative effect.

Assessment of Lymph Node Ratio to Replace the pN Categories System of Classification of the TNM System in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The seventh edition of the TNM staging system for esophageal cancer outlined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) defines the N classification on the basis of the number of metastatic lymph nodes. However, this classification is dependent on the actual number of examined lymph nodes. Here in this study, we have focused on revising this N classification system with the metastatic lymph nodes ratio (LNR) and also assessing whether this modification to the current AJCC staging system can better define the prognostic characteristics of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 916 patients with ESCC who underwent curative resection. Prognostic performance of two staging systems was compared using the Akaike information criterion value and receiver operating characteristics curve. In addition, decision curve analysis evaluated the clinical practical usefulness of the prediction models by quantifying their net benefits.

RESULTS

The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that LNR was an independent risk factor for overall survival. The modified staging system based on LNR had better discriminatory ability, monotonicity, homogeneity, and stratification than the TNM staging system in determining the prognosis of patients with ESCC. However, the decision curves analysis suggested that the modified staging based on LNR has poor clinical practical value over the AJCC TNM staging system.

CONCLUSIONS

LNR can supplement the pN categorization system for more effective evaluation of prognosis. But the modified staging system based on LNR has a poor clinical practical value for patients with ESCC compared with the current TNM system and is not superior to AJCC pN staging for ESCC.

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cancer: should we mind the gap?

Over recent decades we have witnessed a shift in the anatomical distribution of gastric cancer (GC), which increasingly originates from the proximal stomach near the junction with the oesophagus. In parallel, there has been a dramatic rise in the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) in the lower oesophagus, which is associated with antecedent Barrett oesophagus (BO). In this context, there has been uncertainty regarding the characterization of adenocarcinomas spanning the area from the lower oesophagus to the distal stomach. Most relevant to this discussion is the distinction, if any, between OAC and intestinal-type GC of the proximal stomach. It is therefore timely to review our current understanding of OAC and intestinal-type GC, integrating advances from cell-of-origin studies and comprehensive genomic alteration analyses, ultimately enabling better insight into the relationship between these two cancers.

High-grade dysplasia, restricted to the basal cell layer involving the entire esophagus

This report presents a case involving a unique observation of a high-grade squamous dysplasia involving the entire esophagus. Dysplastic cells were located exclusively in the basal portion of the esophageal squamous epithelium. The findings were documented using histologic analysis of the step-biopsies from the entire esophagus, histologic examination of the esophagectomy-specimen, immunohistochemical analysis, and molecular pathologic analysis of the p53 gene. A minimally invasive total esophagectomy was performed at the Department of Surgery of the University of Cologne, and histologic analysis of the resection specimen confirmed extensive high-grade dysplasia involving the oral resection margin, but no invasive carcinoma. This case does not fit the current World Health Organization (WHO) definition of high-grade squamous cell dysplasia, which requires full-thickness involvement of the squamous epithelium. Thus, the WHO criteria should probably be reconsidered in order to allow for a diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia in cases where dysplastic cells are exclusively located in the basal layer of the esophageal squamous epithelium.

A UNITED CLASSIFICATION IN CARCINOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS AND THE CARDIA BASED ON THE LYMPH METASTASIS

The problem of the surgical treatment of cancer of the esophagus-gastric transition is up to date until today and has caused disagreements between the surgeons. This is one of the most aggressive visceral tumors. Metastasis is very specific due to the specificity of lymph edema. We operated 213 patients for four years period, 162 of them male and 51 - female. Cancer cardia and lower third of the esophagus are seen in 163 of them. All carcinomas of the gastroesophageal transition are diagnosed as adenocarcinomas, which means there is an increase of this localization of the tumor. This distribution of cardiac carcinoma Sieber is almost equal in our series of patients. We operated 137 patients for three years period. Sieber 1 - 47 patients, Sieber 2 - 37 patients, Sieber 3 - 53 patients. The persentage raio is as follows: Sieber 1 - 34%, Sieber 2 - 27%, Sieber 3-39%.

Early diagnosis and management of esophageal and gastric cancer

Esophageal and gastric cancers have high mortality rates secondary to the late presentation of most patients at advanced stages. Improved survival is achievable when the disease is confined to the more superficial mucosal layers and treated. This review will focus on the detection, screening, staging, endoscopic treatment, and surveillance of early upper gastrointestinal cancer - squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma.

Gastroesophageal cancer: focus on epidemiology, classification, and staging

Gastroesophageal cancer (GEC), comprising proximal esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and distal gastric cancer (GC), is a significant public health concern. The epidemiology of these tumors has significantly changed over the past several decades especially in developed countries. There is a recognized decrease in incidence and mortality of distal GC and an increase in incidence and mortality of proximal EGJ cancer. The changing epidemiology is thought to be mainly due to changing trends of risk factors such as lower incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection and increasing incidence of obesity and gastroesophageal reflux. Histologically, EGJ cancers are adenocarcinoma (AC), while distal esophagus may be squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or AC. Distal GC is predominantly AC. Following anatomical and histological distinction, tumors are staged with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), computerized tomography (CT), and often positron emission tomography (PET) with or without diagnostic laparoscopic and peritoneal washing. Accurate staging of tumors, with emphasis on excluding occult metastasis, is imperative to avoid unnecessary surgical resection. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how these tumors are classified, the associated epidemiology, and the current standards of staging prior to selecting the appropriate course of therapy. In this review we will discuss the epidemiology, classification, and staging of locally advanced GEC.

Surgical approaches to invasive adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction

Despite a plethora of data, the optimal surgical approach to invasive adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal (GE) junction remains controversial. To quote Dr. Valerie Rusch, "Strong individual preferences and some degree of surgical mystique often govern the selection of operation for resection of GE junction adenocarcinomas."1 The fırst of these controversies is whether the optimal open surgical approach should be via the transabdominal, transthoracic (two-incision Ivor Lewis or three-incision McKeown), or transhiatal route. Proponents of the transthoracic or transhiatal routes have voiced strong opinions on the potential advantages and disadvantages of each approach (Table 1). It is clear from most large retrospective series that, in experienced hands, excellent results can be achieved by either approach. The principal advantage of the transthoracic route is the ability to perform a radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy en bloc with the primary tumor, the theory being that a more aggressive lymph node dissection would be associated with an improved long-term outcome. To date, however, this association of a more aggressive lymphadenectomy with improved outcome has remained elusive in most gastrointestinal malignancies, including esophageal cancer. Proponents of the transhiatal approach cite similar lymph node retrieval rates, the potential for lower short-term morbidity, and the potential for similar long-term outcomes.2 With the advent of newer technology, the controversy regarding the optimal surgical approach to adenocarcinoma of the GE junction has evolved in yet another direction, with proponents of a minimally invasive approach, citing even lower perioperative morbidity and mortality, again with comparable or even superior long-term oncologic results.

Unanswered questions in the management of gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: an overview from the medical oncologist's perspective

Patients with gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma have multiple treatment options; however, are victims of lack of consensus and wide variation in treatment, sometimes within the same hospital. While there is a consensus that surgery alone is inadequate for locally advanced disease, locoregional treatment has become the point for debate. Only in 2010 was the reclassification of GEJ cancers as esophageal cancers. Treatment options remain as varied as the classification of GEJ cancers: preoperative chemoradiotherapy, definitive chemoradiation, perioperative chemotherapy, and resection followed by postoperative chemoradiation. Several studies have examined the varying treatment paradigms; however, many fall short due to methodology or sample size. The MAGIC study determined perioperative chemotherapy to be an acceptable standard treatment option for patients with gastric cancer, althouth a significant portion of enrolled patients had distal esophageal and GEJ adenocarcinoma. The CROSS study concluded combination chemotherapy and radiation before resection beneficial. Preoperative therapy in cases of GEJ is beneficial for survival, but not as much impact is seen as in esophageal SCC, which exhibits an increased sensitivity to CRT. There is concurrence with two phase III studies from Japan and Korea on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer. However, the applicability of these studies to GEJ adenocarcinoma remains a question, especially with the significantly different epidemiology of increased proximal and GEJ tumors in the West compared to Asia. To move forward with this increasingly prevalent disease, we will need to do more than understand the multiple treatment paradigms-we will need to select a strategy and examine it.

Improving the quality of pretreatment staging in patients with esophageal carcinoma - a fast track study

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines for esophageal cancer recommend series of diagnostic investigations to determine pretreatment TNM stage. When investigations are done sequentially, diagnostic work-up time may be prolonged considerably. Aim of the study was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a fast track staging strategy within five days after the first consultation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 2007 and 2010 all patients presenting with esophageal cancer at the Department of Gastroenterology in a tertiary referral center were prospectively analyzed. At Day 1 all patients underwent computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and ultrasonography of the neck (US). Results and treatment implications were discussed within a multidisciplinary meeting. This fast track strategy was considered completed successfully if pre-treatment TNM classification was achieved and therapy was proposed to the patient at the outpatient clinic at Day five. In those cases where staging period time was prolonged, the number and type of additional tests were documented including the ensuing time delay.

RESULTS

In 111 patients CT, EUS and US were performed in 100%, 88.3% and 97.3% respectively. A final TNM stage and treatment proposal was reached at Day 5 in 60% of the patients. Additional tests were diverse and mainly used to prove local irresectabilty or presence of distant metastasis. Multivariate analysis identified presence of lymphadenopathy (HR 0.25 p = 0.03) and metastasis (HR 0.27 p = 0.03) as significant predictors of not completing the staging period within five days. In 18% of patients overuse of at least one test occurred, most commonly because CT already revealed distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Employment of a fast track five day staging strategy in patients with esophageal carcinoma is feasible. Definite TNM stage and treatment proposal can be achieved in 60% of cases, but comes at the expense of test overuse in about one fifth of patients.

Clinical staging of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction

Tumors of the esophagogastric junction are among the most frequent and cause lethal cancers. Patients often do not present until late in the disease when the tumor is sufficiently large to cause obstruction or invasion of the adjacent structures, and thus becomes symptomatic. Preoperative staging is critical to select those patients whose disease is still locally confined for curative surgery. Ideally, clinical staging should accurately predict tumor invasion, lymph node involvement, and distant metastases. Upper endoscopy establishes the tumor diagnosis by multiple biopsies and defines the tumor type (Siewert I-III), based on tumor localization in relation to the endoscopic cardia. Preoperative TNM staging has a strong impact on treatment strategy. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) determines the T category, and to a lesser extent, the presence of lymph node metastases. Multislice Computed Tomography (CT) and 18Fluorode-ocx-glucose Positron Emission Computed Tomography (18FDG-PET-CT) provide further information, especially about systemic metastases. Diagnostic laparascopy is suggested in advanced (CT3/4) Siewert type II-III tumors to exclude peritoneal carcinomatosis. This chapter summarizes current staging modalities and their accuracy in clinical practice.

[Prognostic significance of the Mandard TRG classification after induction therapy in carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia]

Mandard's tumor regression grade (TRG) is widely used to evaluate the pathological response to induction therapy with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in cancer of the oesophagus or gastro-oesophageal junction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance and clinical applicability of TRG. From 2000 to 2007, 108 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus (57 cases) or Siewert type I and II adenocarcinoma of the cardia (51 cases) were treated with induction chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in the 1st Division of General Surgery of the University of Verona. The treatment was identical for all patients and consisted of cisplatin, 5 FU and docetaxel together with 50 Gy of concurrent radiotherapy. The treatment-induced response was evaluated by TRG. Fifty-one, 24, 17, 9 and 7 patients were classified, respectively, as TRG1, 2, 3 4 and 5. Fifty-two patients died of the disease. Disease-related survival decreased with the increase in TRG class in node-negative patients (p < 0.001), while in N+ patients it was poor, irrespective of TRG class (p = 0.241). Mandard TRG is therefore useful for staging patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiotherapy, because it displays high prognostic significance. In our study, however, N was the main prognostic factor and for this reason it is mandatory to consider nodal status along with TRG. Moreover, among N negative patients, the prognosis of each different TRG class is statistically different and for this reason different TRG classes cannot be grouped together.

Squamous intraepithelial neoplasia of the esophagus: past, present, and future

With regard to the esophagus, the term "squamous dysplasia" has been used in European countries, the United States, and China, while its use is controversial in Japan. Recently, "low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia" and "high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia" have been used as inclusive terms for dysplasia and carcinoma in situ in the World Health Organization classification. Endoscopically, it is often difficult to identify squamous intraepithelial neoplasia by conventional endoscopy, but application of iodine is useful for the diagnosis of such a lesion. In addition, new types of endoscopic techniques, including magnifying endoscopy, narrow-band imaging (NBI), and endocytoscopy are helpful to detect squamous intraepithelial neoplasia. NBI is very useful for identifying the intrapapillary capillary loop pattern. Regarding the pathological criteria of squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma, the views of Japanese and Western pathologists have differed significantly. Before the term "intraepithelial neoplasia" was introduced, severe dysplasia as diagnosed by Western pathologists was in fact the same as squamous cell carcinoma in situ or noninvasive carcinoma as diagnosed by Japanese pathologists. This problem has been solved by the introduction of the Vienna classification; however, there are still some issues that need to be resolved. One of them is the presence of basal layer type squamous cell carcinoma in situ, which is often underdiagnosed as lowgrade intraepithelial neoplasia by Western pathologists. Endoscopic treatments such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection have recently become possible choices for squamous intraepithelial neoplasia; however, these techniques are not in widespread use in the West. We believe that a consensus meeting between Japanese and Western pathologists as well as endoscopists should be held promptly to reach a common ground for the nomenclature.

Optimal aggregation of binary classifiers for multiclass cancer diagnosis using gene expression profiles

Multiclass classification is one of the fundamental tasks in bioinformatics and typically arises in cancer diagnosis studies by gene expression profiling. There have been many studies of aggregating binary classifiers to construct a multiclass classifier based on one-versus-the-rest (1R), one-versus-one (11), or other coding strategies, as well as some comparison studies between them. However, the studies found that the best coding depends on each situation. Therefore, a new problem, which we call the "optimal coding problem," has arisen: how can we determine which coding is the optimal one in each situation? To approach this optimal coding problem, we propose a novel framework for constructing a multiclass classifier, in which each binary classifier to be aggregated has a weight value to be optimally tuned based on the observed data. Although there is no a priori answer to the optimal coding problem, our weight tuning method can be a consistent answer to the problem. We apply this method to various classification problems including a synthesized data set and some cancer diagnosis data sets from gene expression profiling. The results demonstrate that, in most situations, our method can improve classification accuracy over simple voting heuristics and is better than or comparable to state-of-the-art multiclass predictors.

Unchanging trend of esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma in Korea: experience at a single institution based on Siewert's classification

The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) has been increasing in Western countries. It is unclear, however, whether similar changes are occurring in Asia. We therefore investigated the incidence of AEG in Korea, and assessed the clinical characteristics of three types of AEG based on Siewert's classification. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 16 811 patients diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESC, n= 1450) or gastric noncardiac adenocarcinoma (GNCA, n= 14 751) between 1992 and 2006. The patients were divided into three 5-year cohorts (cohort A [1992-1996], n= 2734, cohort B [1997-2001], n= 5727, and cohort C [2002-2006], n= 8350), and the ratios of AEG (n= 610) to non-AEG (ESC and GNCA) in each cohort were compared. Using Siewert's classification, the tumors were categorized into one of three types, and patient demographic features and 5-year survival rates were compared. The ratio of AEG to non-AEG cases did not change over time (0.037, 0.034, and 0.039 for cohorts A, B, and C, respectively; P= 0.40). Of the 610 patients with AEG, 23 (3.7%) had type 1 tumors, 47 (7.7%) had type 2, and 540 (88.5%) had type 3. The 5-year survival rate of patients with type 1 AEG was much lower (4.8 +/- 4.7%) than that of those with type 2 (47.9 +/- 7.8%) and type 3 (47.4 +/- 2.5%) tumors. Unlike in Western countries, the ratio of AEG to non-AEG cases has not increased over time in Korea. Type 1 AEG was rarer and associated with a more unfavorable prognosis in Korea than in Western countries.

[Clinicopathologic characteristics of adenocarcinoma in cardia according to Siewert classification]

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinicopathologic differences between Type II and Type III groups that were classified by Siewert in cardia cancer.

METHODS

A hundred forty-one patients who were diagnosed as gastric cardia cancer and underwent surgery between January 1990 and December 2006 by single surgeon at Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine were included in this study. The Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test were used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

Barrett's adenocarcinoma was recognized in two patients so called type I. There were significant differences between type II and III in aspect of depth of invasion, Lauren's classification, and the number of retrieved lymph nodes in which cancer infiltrated. In type III, prognostic factors affecting survival were depth of invasion and nodal status in contrast to the no demonstrable prognostic factors existing in type II. However, there were no differences in recurrence and survival between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Several clinicopathologic differences exist between type II and III cardia cancer. In the future, further evaluation is needed regarding the classification and entities of the cardia cancer.

Significance of Immunohistochemical Expression of p27 and Involucrin as the Marker of Cellular Differentiation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus

PURPOSE

p27kip1 belongs to the KIP/CIP family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and is considered to be a tumor suppressor. Involucrin has been known as a marker of differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic significance of the expression of p27 and involucrin in esophageal SCC.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical expression of p27 and involucrin was examined in 70 specimens of esophageal SCC. The correlation of the expression of these proteins and clinicopathologic features was evaluated.

RESULTS

Cellular differentiation in esophageal SCC was significantly correlated with the expression of p27 and involucrin (p = 0.010 and p = 0.002, respectively). Among well, moderately and poorly differentiated SCCs, 45.8 +/- 21.6, 20.0 +/- 15.0 and 10.6 +/- 9.1% of carcinoma cells expressed involucrin, respectively (p < 0.0001 for well vs. poorly, p < 0.0001 for well vs. moderately, and p = 0.042 for moderately vs. poorly). There existed a more powerful statistical difference regarding the histological grade between SCCs with the expression of both p27 and involucrin and tumors with other expression patterns (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of both p27 and involucrin can be a powerful biological marker of cellular differentiation of esophageal SCC.

Grading of dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus: substantial interobserver variation between general and gastrointestinal pathologists

AIMS

To determine interobserver variation in grading of dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus (BO) between non-expert general pathologists and expert gastrointestinal pathologists on the one hand and between expert pathologists on the other hand.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this prospective multicentre study, non-expert and expert pathologists graded biopsy specimens of 920 patients with endoscopic BO, which were blindly reviewed by one member of a panel of expert pathologists (panel experts) and by a second panel expert in case of disagreement on dysplasia grade. Agreement between two of three pathologists was established as the final diagnosis. Analysis was performed by kappa statistics. Due to absence of intestinal metaplasia, 127/920 (14%) patients were excluded. The interobserver agreement for dysplasia [no dysplasia (ND) versus indefinite for dysplasia/low-grade dysplasia (IND/LGD) versus high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/adenocarcinoma (AC)] between non-experts and first panel experts and between initial experts and first panel experts was fair (kappa = 0.24 and kappa = 0.27, respectively), and substantial for differentiation of HGD/AC from ND/IND/LGD (kappa = 0.62 and kappa = 0.58, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

There was considerable interobserver variability in the interpretation of ND or IND/LGD in BO between non-experts and experts, but also between expert pathologists. This suggests that less subjective markers are needed to determine the risk of developing AC in BO.