Dawn of the Sino-Japan Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy.

The exchange of gastrointestinal endoscopy between Japan and China began in 1972. Half a century ago, Japan's endoscope technology was still developing. At the request of the Japan-China Friendship Association, I was invited to Peking Union Medical Hospital and gave a demonstration of gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

[A Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer with Multiple Liver Metastases Treated with Curative Conversion Therapy after S-1 plus CDDP].

A57 -year-old man was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer(adenocarcinoma[tub2/por1])with multiple(S3, S4, S5, S6, S8)liver and para-aortic lymph node metastases. The tumor was classified as cT4a, N3, M1, HEP, cStage IV, and the patient received chemotherapy with S-1 plus CDDP(SP). After 10 courses of SP, a CT scan revealed that the primary tumor and the metastases disappeared. The patient presented with cCR and underwent distal gastrectomy, D2 lymph node dissection, partial hepatic resection, and cholecystectomy. The histological diagnosis was classified as ypT0N0M0,(ypStage 0), pCR, and pathological Grade 3.

[Sixteen Cases of Colon Stenting as a Bridge to Surgery(BTS)for Obstructive Colorectal Cancer].

INTRODUCTION: Colonic stent insertion is widely used as a bridge to surgery(BTS)for obstructive colorectal cancer. Stenting can shorten hospitalization and decrease complication and colostomy rates in comparison with emergency surgery. We investigated patients who underwent colonic stent insertion for BTS in our hospital. PATIENTS: Sixteen patients(8 men, 8 women) with a colorectal obstruction score of 0 or 1 who underwent colonic stent insertion as a BTS between April 2015 and April 2017 period were investigated. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 68.2(45-94)years. Technical success was obtained in all patients, and clinical success in 14(87%). Total colonoscopy was possible via stent in 10 patients. Nine patients were temporarily discharged from the hospital, and median time to operation was 18(2-43)days. Laparoscopic resection was performed in 14 patients, and anastomotic leakage was a postoperative complication in 1 patient. Colostomy was performed in only 1 patient with anastomotic leakage. CONCLUSION: Good results were obtained with careful patient selection and safe colonic stent insertion.

Impact of formal training in endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastrointestinal cancer: A systematic review and a meta-analysis.

AIM: To summarize the clinical impact of a formal training for the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS: We searched databases including PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library and Science citation Index updated to August 2014 to include eligible articles. In the Meta-analysis, the main outcome measurements were en bloc resection rate, local recurrence rate (R0) and the incidence of procedure-related complications (perforation, bleeding). RESULTS: En bloc resection was high for both, dissecting stomach tumors with an overall percentage of 93.2% (95%CI: 90.5-95.8) and dissecting colorectal tumors with an overall percentage of 89.4% (95%CI: 85.1-93.7). Although the number of studies reporting R0 resection (the dissected specimen was revealed free of tumor in both vertical and lateral margins) was small, the overall estimates for R0 resection were 81.4% (95%CI: 72-90.8) for stomach and 85.9% (95%CI: 77.5-95.5) for colorectal tumors, respectively. The analysis showed that the percentage of immediate perforation and bleeding were very low; 4.96 (95%CI: 3.6-6.3) and 1.4% (95%CI: 0.8-1.9) for colorectal tumors and 3.1% (95%CI: 2.0-4.1) and 4.8% (95%CI: 2.8-6.7) for stomach tumors, respectively. CONCLUSION: In order to obtain the same rate of success of the analyzed studies it is a necessity to create training centers in the western countries during the "several years" of gastroenterology residence first only to teach EGC diagnose and second only to train endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Clinical characterization of gastric lesions initially diagnosed as low-grade adenomas on forceps biopsy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to elucidate characteristics of gastric lesions that are initially diagnosed as low-grade adenomas and to establish appropriate treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 231 lesions initially diagnosed as gastric adenomas. All forceps biopsy samples were histologically diagnosed as category 3 low-grade adenomas according to the revised Vienna Classification. All patients underwent endoscopic resection with endoscopic findings and post-resection diagnoses evaluated subsequently. RESULTS: Sixty-three lesions were initially diagnosed as depressed adenomas, and 168 lesions were diagnosed as protruding adenomas. The depressed lesions were significantly smaller (11.6 ± 5.0 mm) than the protruding lesions (17.0 ± 10.8 mm) (P < 0.001). Diagnoses reclassified to category 4 mucosal high-grade neoplasia (i.e. high-grade adenoma, adenocarcinoma in adenoma and adenocarcinoma) were more frequent among depressed lesions (52.4%) than among protruding lesions (31.0%) (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis of all 231 lesions showed that lesion size larger than 20 mm (P < 0.001) and depressed appearance (including central depression) (P < 0.001) were significant independent factors suggesting cancer. For the 168 protruding lesions, lesion size larger than 20 mm (P < 0.001) and central depression (P < 0.001) were significant independent factors suggesting cancer. For the 63 depressed lesions, lesion size larger than 15 mm (P = 0.016) and a moth-eaten appearance (P = 0.017) were significant independent factors in the pre-treatment diagnosis of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinoma lesions were often found in depressed lesions and protruding lesions with central depression. Endoscopic resection for total biopsy is recommended, even if forceps biopsy indicates low-grade adenoma, as pre-treatment biopsy may be inadequate for an accurate histological diagnosis.

Treatment strategy for rectal carcinoids: a clinicopathological analysis of 229 cases at a single cancer institution.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: A treatment strategy for tumors with only venous invasion and characteristics of small rectal carcinoids with metastasis have not been clearly documented. The present study aims to determine the risk factors for lymph node metastasis and to elucidate characteristics of small tumors with metastasis. METHODS: We investigated a total of 229 patients with rectal carcinoids. The relationship between each clinicopathological variable and the presence of lymph node metastasis was evaluated. RESULTS: Tumor size (larger than 10 mm), presence of central depression, depth of tumor invasion, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion were significantly associated with the incidence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (odds ratio: 63.3, P < 0.001) and venous invasion (odds ratio: 40.9, P < 0.001) were independently predictive of lymph node metastasis. In 204 patients with small (no larger than 10 mm) tumors, 10 patients had lymph node metastasis. All 10 tumors had low proliferation values indicated by mitosis and Ki-67 index. Multivariate analysis for the 204 patients revealed that only venous invasion was independently associated with metastasis (odds ratio: 40.1, P < 0.001). Five-year disease free survival rates of the total patients with metastasis and without metastasis were 81.1% and 95.5%, respectively (P < 0.001, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Venous invasion as well as tumor size and lymphatic invasion indicates high malignant potential to metastasize to lymph node and would provide useful information in considering the addition of radical surgery. Postoperative pathological examinations of specimens obtained by local resection are very important to avoid underestimation.

Learning curve in a Western training center of the circumferential en bloc esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection in an in vivo animal model.

Aim. Evaluate the feasibility to overcome the learning curve in a western training center of the en bloc circumferential esophageal (ECE-) ESD in an in vivo animal model. Methods. ECE-ESD was performed on ten canine models under general anesthesia on artificial lesions at the esophagus marked with coagulation points. After the ESD each canine model was euthanized and surgical resection of the esophagus and stomach was carried out according to "the Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, Russel and Burch." The specimen was fixed with needles on cork submerged in formalin with the esophagus and stomach then delivered to the pathology department to be analyzed. Results. ECE-ESD was completed without complications in the last 3/10 animal models. Mean duration for the procedures was 192 ± 35 minutes (range 140-235 minutes). All the procedures were done at the animal lab surgery room with cardio pulmonary monitoring and artificial ventilation by staff surgery members and a staff member of the Gastroenterology department trained during 1999-2001 at the Fujigaoka hospital of the Showa U. in Yokohama, Japan, length (range 15-18 mm) and 51 ± 6.99 width (range 40-60 mm). Conclusion. ECE-ESD training is feasible in canine models for postgraduate endoscopy fellows.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection in dogs in a World Gastroenterology Organisation training center.

AIM: To evaluate if canine models are appropriate for teaching endoscopy fellows the techniques of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). METHODS: ESD was performed in 10 canine models under general anesthesia, on artificial lesions of the esophagus or stomach marked with coagulation points. After ESD, each canine model was euthanized and surgical resection of the esophagus or stomach was carried out according to "The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, Russel and Burch". The ESD specimens were fixed with needles on cork submerged in a formol solution with the esophagus or stomach, and delivered to the pathology department to be analyzed. RESULTS: ESD was completed without complications using the Hook-knife in five esophageal areas, with a procedural duration of 124 +/- 19 min, a length of 27.4 +/- 2.6 mm and a width of 21 +/- 2.4 mm. ESD was also completed without complications using the IT-knife2 in five gastric areas, with a procedural duration of 92.6 +/- 19 min, a length of 32 +/- 2.5 mm and a width of 18 +/- 3.7 mm. CONCLUSION: ESD is feasible in the normal esophagus and stomach of canine models, which are appropriate for teaching this technique.

Expansion of indications for endoscopic treatment of undifferentiated mucosal gastric cancer: analysis of intramucosal spread in resected specimens.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to pathologically investigate the developmental pattern of undifferentiated mucosal gastric cancer and to determine safe surgical margins for curative resection by endoscopic resection. RESULTS: Intramucosal cancer spread, or the width of the proliferative zone, was pathologically investigated in 47 cases of undifferentiated mucosal gastric cancer of size 20 mm or smaller without ulceration (scars). The 47 cases comprised 40 IIc and 7 IIb cases. The IIc cases consisted of 5 (12.5%) of intermediate-layer type (cancer localized at the intermediate layer of the mucosa), 31 (77.5%) of superficial type, and 4 of whole-layer type (10%). The IIb cases consisted of six of intermediate-layer type (85.7%) and one of superficial type (14.3%). The width of the proliferative zone in the 40 IIc cases ranged from 0 to 2,390 microm (average 605.5 microm). There was no significant correlation between width of proliferative zone and background mucosa. With regard to lesion size, average width was 243.6 microm in cases with longest diameter 5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: In endoscopic treatment of undifferentiated mucosal gastric cancer of size 20 mm or smaller without ulceration (scars), the lateral safety margin should be 3 mm or more.

Re-epithelialization of squamous epithelium for a radiation-induced rectal ulcer while giving an ecabet sodium enema.

The present patient developed a severe rectal ulcer more than 1 month after having received external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Surveillance endoscopy every 3 months demonstrated healing of this rectal ulcer using a novel therapy. He was given enemas with ecabet sodium, which provides physical protection and promotes healing by increasing prostaglandin E(2), and this process induced squamous metaplasia that halted the progression of the ulcer of radiation proctitis as a late-phase reaction. Intrapapillary capillary loops were visualized with magnified narrow band imaging at the healing ulcer site as seen via the esophagus and, moreover, demonstrated histologically.

Early esophageal cancer can be detected by screening endoscopy assisted with narrow-band imaging (NBI).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Iodine staining of the esophagus has been shown to be useful in detecting esophageal cancer. Narrow band imaging (NBI), a new endoscopic lighting system, visualizes the microvasculature of the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. To evaluate the detectability of early esophageal cancer by screening endoscopy assisted with NBI as compared with that assisted with iodine staining. DESIGN: A prospective comparative study. Setting A single endoscopy unit. PATIENTS: Forty-nine consecutive patients, consisting of 40 males and 9 females with a mean age of 67, most of whom were at high risks for esophageal cancer (heavy drinker and smoker, history of cancer especially of head and neck, etc.). INTERVENTION: Following conventional endoscopic observation, the esophagus was observed with NBI for possible cancerous lesions. Dark-brown areas on NBI were defined as NBI-positive areas. Esophageal mucosa was subsequently stained with 1.5% iodine, and both findings were compared. Finally, the areas discolored by iodine stain were biopsied for histological evaluation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of endoscopic detection of esophageal cancer. RESULTS: Squamous cell carcinoma was detected in 5 out of 118 areas. Esophageal cancers detected were all both NBI-positive and discolored by iodine staining. Sensitivity, specificity, and PPV of NBI-positive areas for cancer were 100%, 59%, and 9.8%, respectively. On the other hand, the discolored areas with iodine staining for cancer were 100%, 4.4%, and 4.4%, respectively. NBI observation was significantly superior to iodine staining for detecting esophageal cancer (p < 0.02). LIMITATION: In this study, the endoscopist engaged was not blinded and the assessment was not standardized. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal endoscopy assisted with NBI was more useful for detecting early esophageal cancer than that assisted with iodine staining.

Significance of (18)F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-glucose accumulation in the stomach on positron emission tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To explain the accumulation of (18)F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-glucose ((18)FDG) on positron emission tomography (PET) in the stomach and differences in its pattern, we focus on the accumulation pattern in association with endoscopic findings of the gastric mucosa and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. METHODS: Of 599 cases undergoing (18)FDG-PET examinations, we retrospectively analyzed the pattern of (18)FDG accumulation in the stomach, findings of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and Hp infection. The pattern of (18)FDG accumulation was classified into three groups: localized accumulation only in the fornix (Group A, 32 patients), diffuse accumulation throughout the entire stomach (Group B, 49 patients), and no accumulation (Group C, 191 patients). RESULTS: Regarding the relation between Hp infection and (18)FDG accumulation, Hp infection was positive in 56.3% of Group A, 73.5% of Group B, and 24.1% of Group C, with significant differences (p < 0.001). Regarding the relation between (18)FDG accumulation and gastric mucosal inflammation, when Groups A and B were compared with Group C, nearly half of the cases in the former groups had papular redness with a significantly higher frequency of redness and erosion. Three cases found to have malignant tumor were limited to the former groups. One MALT lymphoma case was also found in the same group. Accumulation of (18)FDG largely corresponded to mucosal inflammation including superficial gastritis and erosive gastritis, and therefore the main cause of non-specific (18)FDG accumulation was considered to be inflammatory mucosa (mainly redness). The accumulation pattern was not associated with atrophic changes of the gastric mucosa or with Hp infection, but with mucosal inflammatory changes, including redness and erosion localized to the fornix. CONCLUSIONS: Accumulation of (18)FDG in the stomach suggests a high probability of the presence of inflammatory change in the gastric mucosa forming a background for the development of cancer or malignant lymphoma, and thus requires further endoscopic examinations.

Pancreatogram findings for carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the pancreas seen on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and postoperative pancreatography of resected specimens: can CIS be diagnosed preoperatively?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: From 1992 to 2003, 7 carcinomata in situ (CIS) were incidentally discovered during microscopical observation of resected materials for advanced carcinomas of peripancreatic organs, of which 4 had undergone endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or postoperative pancreatography of the resected specimen (POP). In addition, 7 of 79 invasive ductal carcinomata (IDC) of the pancreas were accompanied by CIS > or =2 cm long. A total of 11 patients were reviewed here for pancreatographic findings for CIS of the pancreas. METHODS: All resected pancreatobiliary materials were sliced serially at 5- to 8-mm intervals in a plane at right angles to the main pancreatic duct, referring to POP images. RESULTS: Irregularity (I), non-continuous narrowing (N), granular defects (G), and dilatation (D) were seen in 78, 67, 33 and 22% on ERCP, respectively, and in 90, 70, 60 and 40% on POP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: I, N, G, and D are most important pancreatographic findings in ERCP and highly suggestive of CIS of the pancreas, so that whenever they are encountered, cytological and/or pathological examination of the pancreatic duct should be actively performed.

Colorectal neoplasm in asymptomatic Asians: a prospective multinational multicenter colonoscopy survey.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal neoplasm is rapidly increasing in Asia, but a guideline for screening is not available. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of colorectal neoplasm in asymptomatic Asian subjects. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Multinational multicenters, including both primary and referral centers in Asia. PATIENTS: A total of 860 consecutive asymptomatic adults undergoing screening colonoscopy in 11 Asian cities from July 2004 to December 2004. Patients under 16 years old; those patients with a colorectal resection history, colonoscopies, or barium enema within 5 years; symptoms suggestive of colorectal diseases; and those who had undergone surveillance colonoscopy were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The incidence and distribution of colorectal neoplasm and advanced neoplasm. RESULTS: The mean age (+/-SD) was 54.4+/-11.6 years; 471 were men (54.8%). The prevalence of colorectal neoplasm and advanced neoplasm was 18.5% and 4.5%, respectively. Male sex, advancing age, and a family history of colorectal cancer were risk factors for advanced neoplasm. Of the 168 patients with colorectal neoplasm, 76 had distal neoplasm only (45.2%), 66 had proximal neoplasm only (39.3%), and 26 had both proximal and distal neoplasms (15.5%). Although the presence of distal advanced neoplasm was a significant risk factor for proximal advanced neoplasm, 14 of the 758 subjects without distal neoplasm had proximal advanced neoplasm (1.8%). LIMITATIONS: The small number of enrolled subjects, especially from certain ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasm in asymptomatic Asians is comparable with the West. Male sex, advancing age, and a family history of colorectal cancer were associated with a higher risk of advanced neoplasm.

CT and MRI findings with contrast enhancement of small pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the late phase.

A 60-year-old female was found to have high serum amylase concentrations at a medical check-up. Dynamic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a mass in the body of the pancreas, which was enhanced in the late phase of the scans by administration of a contrast medium. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed a stenosis of the main pancreatic duct at the body, and brushing cytology from the region revealed adenocarcinoma. Distal pancreatectomy was performed. The tumor was a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, measuring 15 x l0 mm. Fibrous tissues were sparsely distributed in the tumor, and there was an increase of dilated veins, in particular at the margin. Late-phase enhancement of the tumor with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was considered to be correlated with this abundant vascular structure in the tumor. Marked tumor enhancement in the late phase might be a characteristic finding suggesting an early-stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which should be carefully checked.

[Therapeutic strategy for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis--the optimum condition of argon plasma coagulation (APC)].

AIM: This study was performed to clarify the optimum condition of argon plasma coagulation (APC) to treat hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. SUBJECTS: Among 25 patients with hemorrhagic radiation proctitis treated in the Cancer Institute Hospital between December 2000 and May 2004, 18 were followed-up for more than 6 months. The clinical courses of these 18 patients were analyzed retrospectively. METHODS: Proctoscopic findings of the hemorrhagic lesions were categorized as type-A (localized dilated veins, n = 6) , type-B (diffuse dilated veins, n = 6), and type-C (dilated veins associated with ulcers orerosions, n = 6). APC was applied for 5-10 seconds with the power of 40 W and the argon flow of 1.0 l/min (high power APC), or for 1-2 seconds with the power of 40 W and the argon flow of 0.6 l/min (low power APC). RESULTS: Type-A and B patients were successfully treated with either low or high power APC without any serious complications. But some type-C patients treated with high power APC showed serious complications such as proctovaginal fistula or prolonged ulceration. No recurrence patients were 89% (16/18) during the mean follow up period of 18 +/- 9.9 months. CONCLUSION: APC therapy for hemorrhagic radiation-proctitis was useful, but the pathologic healing process and consequence were different by rectal mucosal weakness. It is necessary for the therapeutic strategy to be put up and down according to proctoscopic findings. As for the optimum condision APC short cauterization by low power setting was more recommended.

Image-diagnostic features of mature cystic teratomas of the pancreas: report on two cases difficult to diagnose preoperatively.

This report documents the findings of two rare cases of mature cystic teratoma of the pancreas. Although they could not be diagnosed preoperatively, our retrospective report suggests that the combined diagnosis of ultrasonography (US), enhanced computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) might allow differentiation from other cystic lesions such as mucinous cystic tumors (MCTs) and intraductal papillary-mucinous tumors (IPMTs). Since the cystic teratomas were both filled with keratinous and sebaceous material, they were echogenic, appearing as solid masses on US. Enhanced CT showed their cystic nature, with values slightly higher than water, and MRCP revealed defects of internal signals.

Clinicopathology of pancreaticobiliary maljunction: relationship between alterations in background biliary epithelium and neoplastic development.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Between 1988 and 2003, 38 patients underwent biliary resection for pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM). We reviewed the histopathologic findings for the surgically resected specimens to compare the clinical and pathologic features and assess the relationship between changes in the background biliary epithelium and the development of neoplasms. METHODS: Papillary hyperplasia (PHP) seen in the biliary epithelium of patients with PBM, was classified into grades 0--III in the gallbladder and grades 0--II in the extrahepatic bile duct, according to the extent, and was assessed for links with tumors in the same specimens. RESULTS: The incidence of gallbladder carcinoma was 13/21 in grades I--II, versus 0/16 in grade III, while the incidence of bile duct carcinoma was 4/20 in grade I versus 0/5 in grade II. Furthermore, these incidences for patients below age 50 years and age 50 or older were 1/18 versus 12/20, and 0/14 versus 6/17, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PHP of the biliary epithelium in PBM patients is an important precursor lesion, especially for gallbladder cancer, and the risk becomes greater with age, regardless of the type of pancreatobiliary junction (PBJ) and its location in the biliary tract.