Endoscopic Resection for High-Grade Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus

Endoscopic resection (ER) has gained more and more importance in the treatment of high grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's esophagus over the last few years. The choice of the different available techniques depends on the macroscopic type of the lesion and the personal experience of the endoscopist. But the "suck and cut"-technique with ligation device or cap should be favoured to normal strip biopsy in the esophagus because of the size of the resected specimen and its technical feasibility. Several studies demonstrate the effectivity and safety of ER in patients with HGD, therefore ER should be the treatment of choice in these patients.

Prevention of feeding tube dislodgement with the Wiesbaden rein: a case series.

We describe initial experience with the use of a new fixation method (Wiesbaden rein), which has been developed to prevent dislodgement of feeding tubes in the gastrointestinal tract. The Wiesbaden rein has been used in three patients without complication. In none of the patients was dislodgement or malfunction of the feeding tube observed. Therefore, the use of the Wiesbaden rein might prevent dislodgement of feeding tubes. Clinical trials are required before this new method can be recommended for general use.

Long-term Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Resection for Patients With Mucosal Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus

Background & Aims Barrett's esophagus–associated high-grade dysplasia is commonly treated by endoscopy. However, most guidelines offer no recommendations for endoscopic treatment of mucosal adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (mAC). We investigated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection in a large series of patients with mAC. Methods We collected data from 1000 consecutive patients (mean age, 69.1 ± 10.7 years; 861 men) with mAC (481 with short-segment and 519 with long-segment Barrett's esophagus) who presented at a tertiary care center from October 1996 to September 2010. Patients with low-grade and high-grade dysplasia and submucosal or more advanced cancer were excluded. All patien…

Strategies for identifying dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus

Abstract Early neoplastic changes in Barrett's oesophagus are often only recognizable visually as discrete mucosal irregularities. With timely diagnosis, the prognosis is excellent, in contrast to advanced tumours in Barrett's oesophagus. The international specialist societies therefore recommend regular endoscopic surveillance for patients who have been diagnosed with Barrett's oesophagus. Following the 1993 Seattle Protocol, the various guidelines consistently require four-quadrant biopsy sampling every 1–2 cm over the entire Barrett's segment and additional biopsies from visually suspicious-appearing areas. This approach is time-consuming and costly, and inevitably involves sampling erro…

Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy for In Vivo Diagnosis of Early Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Esophagus

Background & Aims: Confocal laser endomicroscopy has been shown to allow direct histologic imaging of gastrointestinal tumors in vivo. This study was designed to assess the potential of endomicroscopy for predicting histology in vivo during routine endoscopy in patients with early squamous cell cancer. Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients with suspected early squamous cell cancer who had been referred for endoscopic therapy to a tertiary-care academic medical center were included in this prospective study. After staining with 0.5% Lugol's solution and injection of 500 mg fluorescein sodium, unstained mucosal areas were examined using confocal imaging. Images of each scanned lesion were …

Barrett's esophagus: endoscopic resection

In experienced hands, ER is a safe method of resecting dysplastic lesions and early carcinomas of the GI tract, and it has decisive advantages compared with other local endoscopic treatment procedures (such as thermal destruction and PDT). The opportunity for histological processing of the resected specimen provides information regarding the depth of invasion of the individual layers of the GI tract wall. Additionally, it has advantages regarding excision with healthy margins. This means that even when there is infiltration of the submucosa that has not been detected before treatment--in which case local endoscopic therapy is no longer appropriate--a patient with early Barrett's cancer stil…

Long-term results of photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid for superficial Barrett's cancer and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has proven to be safe and effective in patients with early neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus. However, long-term results in patients with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or with early cancer are still lacking.The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of ALA-PDT and the survival of patients with early Barrett's neoplasia. ALA-PDT was carried out in 66 patients. Protoporphyrin IX induced by oral administration of ALA (60 mg/kg body weight orally applied 4-6 hours before PDT) was used as the photosensitizer. Acid suppression was maintained in all patients.Between September 1996 and September 2002, 667 patients with …

Diagnosing early Barrett’s neoplasia and oesophageal squamous cell neoplasia by bioimpedance spectroscopy in human tissue

Background: Detection of early oesophageal cancer in surrounding normal tissue can be challenging, but detection is essential to determine the subsequent treatment. Dysplastic tissue can be detected by using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and value of EIS in the diagnosis of oesophageal neoplasia. Methods: This prospective ex-vivo study included 23 patients with early oesophageal cancer (17 with Barrett’s cancer and six with early squamous cell cancer). Immediately after endoscopic resection, the electrical properties of the resected specimens were investigated using a pencil probe (5 mm in diameter, frequency…

Conclusions from the histological diagnosis of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia in Barrett's oesophagus.

It is well known that low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) in Barrett's oesophagus (BE) might progress to high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or carcinoma. Since accurate diagnosis of LGIN is difficult, general pathologists are frequently uncertain about the diagnosis of LGIN and its follow-up risks. The purpose of this study was to analyse the divergence between the diagnoses of general and specialized gastrointestinal pathologists.Fifty consecutive patients with a previous diagnosis of LGIN in BE, made by a general pathologist, were included in our study. The histopathological slides of every patient were reassessed in a blinded fashion by two specialized gastrointestinal (G…

Comparison of computed virtual chromoendoscopy and conventional chromoendoscopy with acetic acid for detection of neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

Background and study aims Computed virtual chromoendoscopy (CVC) is a new imaging technique that enhances mucosal surface contrast and highlights the vascular pattern without the need for dye-spraying as in conventional chromoendoscopy. The aim of this prospective randomized pilot study with a crossover design was to compare CVC with conventional chromoendoscopy with acetic acid (CAA) for the detection of high grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or early cancer in patients with Barrett's esophagus. Patients and methods 57 patients with Barrett's esophagus (mean length 3.8 cm) and a history of HGIN/early cancer or suspected HGIN/early cancer were randomly allocated to undergo either CAA o…

The Barrett‐associated variants at GDF 7 and TBX 5 also increase esophageal adenocarcinoma risk

Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) represent two stages within the esophagitis-metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. Previously genetic risk factors have been identified that confer risk to BE and EAC development. However, to which extent the genetic variants confer risk to different stages of the BE/EAC sequence remains mainly unknown. In this study we analyzed three most recently identified BE variants at the genes GDF7 (rs3072), TBX5 (rs2701108), and ALDH1A2 (rs3784262) separately in BE and EAC samples in order to determine their risk effects during BE/EAC sequence. Our data show that rs3072 at GDF7 and rs2701108 at TBX5 are also associated with EAC and …

Evidence for PTGER4, PSCA and MBOAT7 as risk genes for gastric cancer on the genome and transcriptome level

Management of pre-malignant and malignant lesions by endoscopic resection

Endoscopic resection (ER) has gained more and more importance in the treatment of early gastrointestinal neoplasia over the last few years. The choice of the different available techniques depends on the site, the macroscopic type of the tumour and the personal experience of the endoscopist. The 'suck-and-cut' technique with ligation device or cap should be favoured to normal strip biopsy in the oesophagus because of the size of the resected specimen and its technical feasibility. A recently described method of ER in the stomach is the circumferential mucosal incision with a type of needle-knife and subsequent en-bloc resection following prior injection under the lesions. ER of high-grade i…

Prospective evaluation of the macroscopic types and location of early Barrett’s neoplasia in 380 lesions

The macroscopic appearance of early gastric cancers, classified according to the Japanese criteria, has been shown to be an important prognostic factor for local endoscopic therapy. No prospective data about the distribution of macroscopic types and their location in early Barrett's neoplasia are available, however. The present study was conducted to evaluate the clinical applicability of this macroscopic classification and to analyze the relative proportions of the different gross types in early Barrett's neoplasms and the correlation between the macroscopic classification and the stage or grade of differentiation.A total of 344 patients with 380 Barrett's neoplastic lesions who were refer…

Germline variation in the insulin-like growth factor pathway and risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Contains fulltext : 235640.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor, Barrett's esophagus (BE), have uncovered significant genetic components of risk, but most heritability remains unexplained. Targeted assessment of genetic variation in biologically relevant pathways using novel analytical approaches may identify missed susceptibility signals. Central obesity, a key BE/EAC risk factor, is linked to systemic inflammation, altered hormonal signaling and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis dysfunction. Here, we assessed IGF-related genetic variation and risk of BE and EAC. Principal component analys…

"Dry biopsies" with spraying of dilute epinephrine optimize biopsy mapping of long segment Barrett's esophagus

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: For surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus random stepwise four-quadrant biopsy (4QB) is recommended for detecting macroscopically occult neoplasias. Thorough performance of the systematic protocol is commonly hampered by poor visibility due to oozing from biopsy sites. Topical application of dilute epinephrine may prevent bleeding by vasoconstriction of superficial microvessels and might therefore enable ”dry biopsy” sampling. The aim of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of spraying dilute epinephrine for optimal 4QB mapping of Barrett’s esophagus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind trial 40 patients with known long segment Barre…

Computed Virtual Chromoendoscopy for Classification of Small Colorectal Lesions: A Prospective Comparative Study

Standard colonoscopy offers no reliable discrimination between neoplastic and nonneoplastic colorectal lesions. Computed virtual chromoendoscopy with the Fujinon intelligent color enhancement (FICE) system is a new dyeless imaging technique that enhances mucosal and vascular patterns. This prospective trial compared the feasibility of FICE, standard colonoscopy, and conventional chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine in low- and high-magnification modes for determination of colonic lesion histology.Sixty-three patients with 150 flat or sessile lesions less than 20 mm in diameter were enrolled. At colonoscopy, each lesion was observed with six different endoscopic modalities: standard colonosco…

Evidence for PTGER4 ,PSCA, and MBOAT7 as risk genes for gastric cancer on the genome and transcriptome level

Genetic associations between variants on chromosome 5p13 and 8q24 and gastric cancer (GC) have been previously reported in the Asian population. We aimed to replicate these findings and to characterize the associations at the genome and transcriptome level. We performed a fine-mapping association study in 1926 GC patients and 2012 controls of European descent using high dense SNP marker sets on both chromosomal regions. Next, we performed expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analyses using gastric transcriptome data from 143 individuals focusing on the GC associated variants. On chromosome 5p13 the strongest association was observed at rs6872282 (P = 2.53 x 10(-04)) and on chromosome …

Supportive evidence for FOXP 1 , BARX 1 , and FOXF 1 as genetic risk loci for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma

The Barrett's and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium (BEACON) recently performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and Barrett's esophagus. They identified genome-wide significant association for variants at three genes, namely CRTC1, FOXP1, and BARX1. Furthermore, they replicated an association at the FOXF1 gene that has been previously found in a GWAS on Barrett's esophagus. We aimed at further replicating the association at these and other loci that showed suggestive association with P < 10(-4) in the BEACON sample. In total, we tested 88 SNPs in an independent sample consisting of 1065 EAC cases and 1019 controls of German descent. We could repl…

Comparison of methylene blue-directed biopsies and four-quadrant biopsies in the detection of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and early cancer in Barrett's oesophagus

Background. Barrett’s oesophagus embodies the risk of malignant transformation. High-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and early cancer in Barrett’s oesophagus are often discrete or macroscopically occult lesions and show a patchy distribution and therefore, directed biopsies in combination with four-quadrant random biopsies are the gold standard for surveillance. Aims. The aim of this prospective study was to compare methylene blue staining and random biopsies in patients with early Barrett’s neoplasia. Patients and methods. Eighty-six patients (mean age 65 ± 8 years) with histologically proven but macroscopically in evident high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 17) or early cancer in Ba…

Long-term results of endoscopic resection in early gastric cancer: the Western experience.

Top of pageAbstract OBJECTIVES:  In the West, neither acute nor long-term results of endoscopic resection (ER) for early gastric cancer (EGC) have been reported in large studies. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of ER in patients with EGC in a long-term follow-up (FU). METHODS:  From May 1995 to October 2004, 179 patients were referred to our department for endoscopic therapy (ET) of gastric cancer (GC). Of these, 43 patients had intramucosal GC with a diameter of up to 30 mm and underwent ER with curative intent. All patients underwent a strict FU protocol at regular intervals. RESULTS:  Of the 43 patients, 42 fulfilled our low-risk criteria for E…

Curative endoscopic therapy in patients with early esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma or high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia.

Background and study aims Endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous-cell neoplasia with curative intent is considered to be a safe and effective alternative treatment to radical surgery in cases where the neoplasia is intraepithelial or limited to the mucosal layer. These patients are at risk for recurrent malignancy in the preserved esophagus, however. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection and to analyze variables associated with recurrence in patients with mucosal or intraepithelial squamous-cell neoplasia. Patients and methods Between December 1997 and September 2005, 65 patients (mean age +/- standard deviation [SD] 62.9 +/- 9.5 y…

Invisible gastric carcinoma detected by random biopsy: long-term results after photodynamic therapy

Background and study aims Gastric cancer diagnosed from routine gastric biopsies without any evidence of a visible lesion and negative repeated biopsies is an infrequent but serious clinical problem for which gastrectomy has usually been recommended, even if operative specimens do not show cancer either. We report on a series of 22 such patients undergoing long-term follow-up after attempted treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Patients and methods 22 patients with invisible gastric cancer (IGC) who presented during a 10-year period (10 men, mean age 56 +/- 15 years) were prospectively included. Initial histopathological findings confirmed by second opinion included 10 well-differenti…

The Impact of Endoscopic Ultrasound and Computed Tomography on the TNM Staging of Early Cancer in Barrett's Esophagus

Computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are part of the regular staging protocol in esophageal cancer. The value of the two methods was assessed in patients with early cancer in Barrett's esophagus.One hundred consecutive patients (median age 64 yr, interquartile range [IQR] 58-72) with suspected early cancer in Barrett's esophagus who were referred to our hospital for endoscopic therapy were prospectively included in a standardized staging program with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, EUS (7.5 MHz in all cases plus 12.5 or 20 MHz for elevated and/or depressed lesions), CT of the chest and upper abdomen, and abdominal ultrasonography. The results were summarized in accorda…

Curative endoscopic resection of early esophageal adenocarcinomas (Barrett's cancer).

Background In view of the increasing incidence of adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus and the mortality and high morbidity rates associated with surgical therapy for this condition, safe and effective but less invasive methods of treatment are needed. Objective To evaluate efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection in these patients. Design Single-center prospective study. Setting Teaching hospital, conducted between October 1996 and September 2003. Patients A total of 100 consecutive patients (mean age, 62.1 ± 10.9 years; range, 31–86 years) with low-risk adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (macroscopic types I, IIa, IIb, and IIc; lesion diameter up to 20 mm; mucosal lesion without invasion…

Endoscopic Resection of Superficial Esophageal Squamous-Cell Carcinomas: Western Experience

Objectives Endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous-cell neoplasia with curative intent appears to be an alternative treatment to radical surgery when the malignant neoplasia is intraepithelial or limited to the mucosal layer, since the risk for lymph-node metastases is very low. In contrast to Japan, there has so far been only limited experience in Europe and the United States with endoscopic resection in such cases. In the present observational study, we report on the largest prospective series so far in Western countries of patients with early squamous-cell cancer or carcinoma in situ, who were treated using endoscopic resection therapy. Methods Between December 1997 and November 2001…

Endoscopic Resection of Early Esophageal and Gastric Neoplasias

The advent of endoscopic resection (ER) techniques has enabled gastroenterologists to remove premalignant or neoplastic lesions throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This review discusses the indications and the several techniques of ER in early carcinomas of the esophagus and stomach. Before ER is performed an accurate evaluation of patients and careful staging of lesions is mandatory. After ER of the neoplasia histological assessment of the entire specimen with detailed histological analysis of layer infiltration is crucial. First long-term follow-up studies of large numbers of patients confirm the excellent effectiveness of ER for well-differentiated mucosal lesions without lymphangitic…