Clinicopathological Features of Early Gastric Cancer Complicated by Autoimmune Gastritis.

BACKGROUND: In the post-Helicobacter pylori era, autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is attracting increasing attention as an origin of gastric cancer. Here, we performed clinicopathological examination of gastric cancer complicating AIG treated in our hospital. METHODS: Eight-six early gastric cancer lesions complicating AIG in 50 patients were treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) at our hospital in 2008-2022. Their clinicopathological characteristics were compared with those of a control group comprising 2978 early gastric cancer lesions (excluding lesions in the remnant stomach after surgery) in 2278 patients treated by ESD during the same period. RESULTS: Mean age was significantly higher in the AIG group than in the control group (74.7 years vs 70.9 years; p<0.01). In the respective groups, the occurrence rate of synchronous/metachronous lesions was 38.0% and 20.4% (p<0.01), the ratio of longitudinal cancer locations (upper/middle/lower third [U/M/L]) was 27/32/27 and 518/993/1467 (p<0.01), the ratio of circumferential cancer locations (lesser curvature/greater curvature/anterior wall/posterior wall) was 25/31/12/18 and 1259/587/475/657 (p<0.01), the ratio of major macroscopic types (I/IIa/IIb/IIc) was 13/38/5/30 and 65/881/220/1812 (p<0.01). The rates of multiple gastric cancer and cancers in the U region, at the greater curvature, and of protruding types were significantly higher in the AIG group. CONCLUSION: The occurrence rate of multiple gastric cancer was significantly higher in gastric cancer complicating AIG (approximately 40%), and compared with the control group, the proportions of cancers at the U region, at the greater curvature, and of protruding types were significantly higher.

Comparison of Prognosis and Metachronous Gastric Tumor Rates After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Between Gastric Neoplasm of Fundic Gland Type Neoplasms and Conventional Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric neoplasm of the fundic gland type (GNFG) is a tumor with a good prognosis. However, since it has not been compared with conventional gastric adenocarcinoma (CGA), it is unknown whether it has a good prognosis or requires surveillance after treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognosis and metachronous gastric tumor rates compared with those of CGA. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, matched-cohort study using our database from January 2010 to December 2021. We extracted GNFG data from the endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) database and matched patients with conventional early gastric cancer as controls in a 1:4 ratio by age and sex. GNFG and CGA were compared for the overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival, progression-free survival, and metachronous gastric tumor rates. RESULTS: Overall, 43 lesions were GNFG and 164 CGAs were matched. There were three deaths in the GNFG group and 11 deaths in the CGA group. There was no significant difference in the OS between the two groups (P=0.81). The five-year OS rates for the GNFG and CGA groups were 90.9% and 92.9%, respectively. No disease-specific deaths or recurrences were observed in either group. There was no significant difference in the cumulative metachronous gastric tumor rate between the two groups (P=0.17). The cumulative five-year metachronous gastric tumor rates for the GNFG and CGA groups were 6.6% and 2.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for GNFG is good, however, not better than that for CGA. The metachronous gastric tumor rate after ESD in GNFG was not lower than that in CGA. Therefore, after ESD, GNFG may need to be managed in the same way as CGA.

Metastatic Gastric Tumors: Clinical and Endoscopic Features.

INTRODUCTION: Stomach metastasis is rare, and there are few reports on its endoscopic features. Herein, we focused on the endoscopic features and discussed and reviewed the clinicopathological characteristics of metastatic gastric tumors. METHODS: We conducted an analysis on the clinicopathological features of individuals with gastric metastases originating from solid organ tumors at the Department of Gastroenterology, Toranomon Hospital, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Thirty-one cases were identified and evaluated for histology, initial presentation, endoscopic findings, lesion locations, treatment courses, and overall survival of the patients. RESULTS: Endoscopic findings resembling submucosal tumors were present in five cases (16%), and those with a morphology similar to that of primary gastric cancer were present in 26 cases (84%). In addition, seven patients (22%) were diagnosed with gastric metastasis due to a suspected biopsy of early gastric cancer. Solitary metastasis (21 patients, 67.7%) was more common than multiple metastases (10 patients, 32.2%). The median time from primary tumor to diagnosis was 36 months, and survival after metastasis was 19 months. The overall survival (OS) after the diagnosis of the primary tumor was 22 months for esophageal cancer, 25 months for lung cancer, and 100 months for breast cancer, and the OS after the diagnosis of gastric metastasis was almost the same. The average time from the diagnosis of the primary tumor to the diagnosis of gastric metastasis (*timespan) was more than seven years for breast and kidney cancers. CONCLUSION: As the prognosis of patients with cancer gradually improves, they develop metastases more frequently. Understanding the endoscopic findings and information about a patient's clinical history is useful to correctly diagnose gastric metastases.

The use of endoclips in continuous manual endoscopic suturing as a potential method to reduce defect closure time after ESD.

The manuscript presents a novel approach to enhance the efficiency of continuous manual endoscopic suturing without compromising its effectiveness. This technique, still in its early stages of implementation across various centers, holds immense promise but faces the challenge of extended procedure times. The proposed method aims to address this limitation by streamlining specific steps, potentially leading to significant time saving.

Mucosal and Submucosal Thickening of Esophageal Wall Is a Promising Factor in the Development of Symptoms in Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background/Aims: Asymptomatic esophageal eosinophilia (aEE) is considered to be a potential precursor of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, there are few clinical parameters that can be used to evaluate the disease. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the factors involved in the symptoms of EoE by examining the clinicopathological differences between aEE and EoE. Methods: We reviewed 41 patients with esophageal eosinophilia who underwent endoscopic ultrasonography and high-resolution manometry. They were divided into the aEE group (n=16) and the EoE group (n=25) using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease score. The patients' clinicopathological findings were collected and examined. Results: The median Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease score was 3.0 in the aEE group and 10.0 in the EoE group. There was no significant difference in patient characteristics, endoscopic findings and pathological findings. The cutoff value for wall thickening was 3.13 mm for the total esophageal wall thickness and 2.30 mm for the thickness from the surface to the muscular layer (total esophageal wall thickness: 84.0% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity; thickness from the surface to the muscular layer: 84.0% sensitivity, 68.7% specificity). The high-resolution manometry study was abnormal in seven patients (43.8%) in the aEE group and in 12 (48.0%) in the EoE group. The contractile front velocity was slower in the EoE group (p=0.026). Conclusions: The esophageal wall thickening in the lower portion of the esophagus is an important clinical factors related to the symptoms in patients with EoE.

Validity of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Cancer Diagnosed as Differentiated Adenocarcinoma Before Treatment Regardless of Lesion Size.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the validity and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric tumors by examining shortand long-term outcomes by tumor diameter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric tumor was performed on 4259 lesions at our hospital between January 2005 and June 2021. [Study 1] Patients were divided into 5 tumor diameter groups: 3751 lesions, ≤30 mm; 366 lesions, 31-50 mm; 106 lesions, 51-75 mm; 24 lesions, 76-100 mm; and 12 lesions, ≥101 mm. Short-term gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection outcomes were investigated. [Study 2] Long-term outcomes (delayed gastric emptying and prognosis) were investigated in 508 cases with tumor diameter ≥31 mm. RESULTS: [Study 1] Perforation rate (%) was 1.2, 3.6, 3.8, 12.5, and 25.0 for lesions with tumor diameter ≤30 mm, in the range 31-50 mm, 51-75 mm, and 76-100 mm, and ≥101 mm, respectively. Postoperative bleeding rate (%) was 4.8, 9.0, 6.6, 20.8, and 33.3, respectively, R0 resection rate (%) was 96.8, 90.2, 89.6, 70.8, and 66.6, respectively, and curative resection rate (%) was 92.0, 61.2, 63.2, 45.8, and 8.3, respectively. [Study 2] There were 7 cases of delayed gastric emptying after wide resection, with 3 patients requiring balloon dilatation, 1 of whom subsequently underwent distal gastrectomy. Among 205 cases of noncurative resection, 110 underwent additional surgery, residual cancer was present in 11 cases, and lymph node metastasis was observed in 7 cases (1 patient died of disease). To date, 1 of the 95 patients being followed up has died of disease (mean follow-up: 2042 days). CONCLUSION: Even with a tumor diameter ≥31 mm, curative resection was achieved in about 60% of cases in which intramucosal lesions were considered possible preoperatively, but the rate was low at 8.3% for tumor diameter ≥101 mm. Long-term outcomes appear favorable, with only 0.4% of the patients dying of disease but delayed gastric emptying observed in 1.7% of cases.

Diagnostic Performance of Endoscopic Ultrasonography with Water-Filled Balloon Method for Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a commonly used tool for preoperative depth diagnosis of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Probing EUS using the water-filled balloon method is a simple and safe examination. AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify the diagnostic performance of EUS with the water-filled balloon method for superficial ESCC compared to magnifying narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI). METHODS: We retrospectively examined 403 lesions in 393 consecutive patients diagnosed with ESCC and evaluated them with ME-NBI and EUS. Clinicopathological findings were collected, and the accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis was compared between ME-NBI and EUS-B. EUS examiners were not blinded to prior ME-NBI results, and EUS results may have been influenced by ME-NBI results. RESULTS: The pathological tumor depth of the EP/LPM in 152 lesions, MM/SM1 in 130 lesions, and deep submucosa (SM2/SM3) in 121 lesions was examined. The proportion of total lesions with an accurate diagnosis was significantly higher in EUS than in ME-NBI (67.7% versus 62.0%, P = 0.015). When analyzed by clinical depth diagnosis using ME-NBI, the proportion of lesions with an accurate diagnosis was significantly higher for EUS in MM/SM1 (55.7% versus 46.1%, P = 0.033). The sensitivity was significantly higher in EUS for SM2/SM3 lesions (76.0% versus 54.5%, P < 0.001). The accuracy and specificity of EUS, which differentiate MM/SM1 from EP/LPM or SM2/SM3, were significantly higher than those of ME-NBI. The median endoscopic ultrasonography procedure time was approximately 6.5 min. CONCLUSIONS: EUS with the water-filled balloon method is a safe and straightforward method that can be performed on lesions clinically diagnosed as MM/SM1 using ME-NBI. We retrospectively reviewed lesions in patients diagnosed with ESCC and evaluated them using magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI) and endoscopic ultrasound using the water-filled balloon method (EUS-B). We conclude that EUS-B can increase the diagnostic accuracy.

Safety of Cold Snare Polypectomy during Continuous Use of Antithrombotic Drugs for Delayed Post-Polypectomy Bleeding: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Cold snare polypectomy is a high-risk endoscopic procedure with a low delayed post-polypectomy bleeding rate. However, it is unclear whether delayed post-polypectomy bleeding rates increase during continuous antithrombotic treatment. This study aimed to determine the safety of cold snare polypectomy during continuous antithrombotic treatment. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent cold snare polypectomy during antithrombotic treatment between January 2015 and December 2021. Patients were divided into continuation and withdrawal groups based on whether they continued with antithrombotic drugs or not. Propensity score matching was performed using age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, hospitalization, scheduled treatment, type of antithrombotic drugs used, multiple medications used, indication for antithrombotic drugs, and gastrointestinal endoscopist qualifications. The delayed polypectomy bleeding rates were compared between the groups. Delayed polypectomy bleeding was defined as the presence of blood in stools and requiring endoscopic treatment or a decrease in hemoglobin level by 2 g/dL or more. RESULTS: The continuation and withdrawal groups included 134 and 294 patients, respectively. Delayed polypectomy bleeding was observed in 2 patients (1.5%) and 1 patient (0.3%) in the continuation and withdrawal groups, respectively (p = 0.23), before propensity score matching, with no significant difference. After propensity score matching, delayed polypectomy bleeding was observed in 1 patient (0.9%) in the continuation group but not in the withdrawal group, with no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Cold snare polypectomy during continuous antithrombotic treatment did not significantly increase delayed post-polypectomy bleeding rates. Therefore, this procedure may be safe during continuous antithrombotic treatment.

Metachronous Multiple Gastric Cancer Discovered as Endoscopic Curability C2 during Regular Follow-Up after Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to clarify characteristics of metachronous endoscopic curability C2 (eCura C2) cancer during post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) follow-up. METHODS: Of 4,355 gastric lesions treated by ESD at our hospital during 2005-2021, 657 were metachronous. After excluding lesions found ≥2 years since the prior examination or in the gastric remnant, the remaining 515 were analyzed. Study 1: We compared 35 eCura C2 cancers and 480 eCura A-C1 cancers. Study 2: Endoscopic findings of the 35 lesions were examined to determine why they had been missed. RESULTS: Mean tumor size was larger (34.0 mm vs. 12.1 mm, p < 0.01) and the proportions of mixed-type and poorly differentiated cancers were higher (highly:mixed:poorly, 34.3:57.1:8.6 vs. 94.2:5.0:0.8, p < 0.01) in the eCura C2 group. Study 2: At the prior examination, 4 lesions were noticed but considered benign, 2 lacked sufficient imaging, 19 were detectable on imaging but missed, and 10 were not detectable on imaging. Over half the lesions that were detectable but missed at the prior examination were in the lesser curvature, many being type IIa-IIb lesions with color similar to the background mucosa. All lesions not detectable on imaging at the prior examination were mixed-type or poorly differentiated type. DISCUSSION: Metachronous cancer detected as eCura C2 cancers was significantly larger, and a significantly higher proportion was mixed-type or poorly differentiated cancers, compared with eCura A-C1 cancers. Possible reasons why these lesions were missed include rapid progression of mixed-type and poorly differentiated cancers, and poor recognition that lesions showing only slight color changes may be present at the lesser curvature.

Long-term outcome of cervical lymph node metastasis in superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) has received increasing attention as a therapeutic target in the GI field with recent innovations in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, there are currently no defined criteria for the application of ESD to superficial PSCC. One of the problems encountered during follow-up after ESD is cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM). Identifying the clinicopathologic predictors of cervical LNM can help to provide a basis for the refinement of therapeutic strategies for superficial PSCC. METHODS: The risk of cervical LNM was evaluated in 331 patients with superficial PSCC who underwent initial ESD between 2008 and 2021. Since tumor size, rather than depth, is the dominant factor in the current TNM classification for PSCC, the correlation between tumor size and thickness was investigated. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 4.8 years. The cumulative 5-year cervical LNM rate was 6.1%. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified tumor thickness ≥1000 µm and lymphatic invasion as significant independent predictors. Among 204 cases with subepithelial invasion, both factors were also revealed to be significant independent predictors, suggesting that tumor thickness was superior to tumor size in predicting cervical LNM. Despite the positive correlation between tumor thickness and size, there was noticeable variability in the values (R = .20), and the current staging was inadequate to identify groups at high risk for cervical LNM. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor thickness and lymphatic invasion are validated as significant independent predictors for cervical LNM and can be useful indicators to optimize the therapeutic strategies for superficial PSCC.

Feasibility of Rescue Colonoscopy Using a Short-type Enteroscope (SIF-H290S) without Overtube after Incomplete Colonoscopy: A Single-center Retrospective Pilot Study.

Objectives: Recently, a newly designed short-type single-balloon enteroscope (SBE), SIF-H290S, has been developed with a smaller outer diameter and a longer working length than conventional colonoscopes. It has passive bending and high-force transmission, making insertion easier. However, it is difficult to perform rescue colonoscopy with an SBE after incomplete colonoscopy in the same session. Therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility of consecutive rescue colonoscopy using SIF-H290S without overtube after incomplete colonoscopy. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study. We included 19 rescue colonoscopies (19 patients) with SIF-H290S without overtube performed by 11 endoscopists in the SIF group and 38 rescue colonoscopies (38 patients) using a small-caliber colonoscope (PCF-PQ260L) were randomly selected for the control group from procedures performed by the same 11 endoscopists. We compared the cecal intubation rate and other outcomes, such as insertion time, between the two groups. Results: The median age of the patients was 72 and 69 years, with 8 and 26 males in the SIF and control groups, respectively. The median body mass index was 21.6 and 22.7 kg/m2 in the SIF and control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the patient backgrounds between the groups, except for the reason for incomplete colonoscopy (p = 0.048). The cecal intubation rate was 78.9% (15/19 procedures) and 92.1% (35/38 procedures) in the SIF and control groups, respectively. Conclusions: This study revealed the real-world experience and feasibility of rescue colonoscopy using SIF-H290S, which could be a potential rescue device option after incomplete colonoscopy.

Bilateral Risk Assessments of Surgery and Nonsurgery Contribute to Providing Optimal Management in Early Gastric Cancers after Noncurative Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Multicenter Retrospective Study of 485 Patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Surgery is recommended in early gastric cancer (EGC) after noncurative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), although observation can be an alternative. We aimed to develop a tailor-made treatment strategy for noncurative EGCs by comparing the lymph node metastasis risk (LNMR) and the surgical risk. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 485 patients with differentiated-type, noncurative EGCs removed by ESD and classified them into two groups: a surgery-preferable group and an observation-preferable group, according to the clinical courses. Subsequently, LNMR and surgery-related death risk were assessed using a published scoring system and a risk calculator for gastrectomy, respectively. Finally, we investigated the optimal cutoff value of the risk difference (LNMR minus surgery-related death risk) to efficiently allocate these cases into either of two groups, surgery-preferable or observation-preferable. RESULTS: In 485 patients (surgery in 322, observation in 163), 57 and 428 patients were classified into the surgery-preferable group and the observation-preferable group, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of the risk difference (LNMR minus surgery-related death risk) to allocate the cases to the two preferable groups was 7.85 with the highest area under the curve (0.689). When cases with >7.85 LNMR over the surgery-related death risk were allocated into the surgery-preferable group and vice versa, the discriminability was 73.2%, which was sufficiently higher than that in the clinical decision (44.5%). CONCLUSION: Personalized comparison of LNMR and surgery-related death risk is helpful to provide a favorable treatment option for each patient with EGCs after noncurative ESD.

Effectiveness of Clipping for Definitive Colonic Diverticular Bleeding in Preventing Early Recurrent Bleeding.

Objective Clipping is a common technique for managing colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB), despite the lack of published evidence regarding its effectiveness. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of clipping for CDB in preventing early recurrent bleeding. Methods This dual-center retrospective study included 93 patients who underwent emergency hospitalization for bloody stool, diagnosed with definitive CDB, and treated with clipping or conservative treatment. The primary outcome was early recurrent bleeding. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between the occurrence of early recurrent bleeding and clipping with adjustment for propensity scores. Secondary outcomes included death, transfusion, length of hospitalization, need for transcatheter arterial embolization or surgery, and adverse events. Results The patient characteristics were similar between the clipping (n=85) and conservative treatment (n=8) groups. The rate of early recurrent bleeding was significantly lower in the clipping group than in the conservative treatment group [23.5% (20 cases) vs. 75% (6 cases), p=0.005]. In the propensity score-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for early recurrent bleeding in the clipping group was 0.094 (95% confidence interval, 0.008-0.633, p=0.026). Secondary outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups. Stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) at the time of recurrent bleeding was identified in 79.2% of patients (19/24). In the clipping group, recurrent bleeding was observed in 62.5% of cases (10/16) from the same diverticulum. However, early recurrent bleeding tended to be less likely with direct clipping (p=0.072). Conclusion Clipping for definite CDB was more effective in preventing early recurrent bleeding than conservative treatment.

Comprehensive risk evaluation for metachronous carcinogenesis after endoscopic submucosal dissection of superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is associated with a high likelihood of metachronous carcinogenesis, which is known to have a poor prognosis. This study aimed to identify comprehensive risk evaluation indicators for metachronous carcinogenesis after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of superficial PSCC. METHODS: The risk of metachronous carcinogenesis was evaluated in 144 patients with superficial PSCC (with no history of PSCC or esophageal squamous cell carcinoma) who underwent initial ESD from 2008 to 2020. Multiple lugol-voiding lesions (LVLs) in the background pharyngeal and esophageal epithelium were evaluated as endoscopic indicators. The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score was analyzed as a serum marker. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 4.3 years. The coincidence rate for pharyngeal and esophageal LVL grade was 55%. The cumulative 3-year metachronous PSCC rate was 18.9%. The cumulative 3-year second metachronous PSCC rate was 43.9%. Forward stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified pharyngeal LVL grade and a lower HALP score as significant independent predictors. Pharyngeal LVL grade was superior to esophageal LVL grade as a predictor of metachronous PSCC. A lower HALP score was significantly associated with younger age in forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a history of superficial PSCC remain at risk for metachronous carcinogenesis over time, and long-term follow-up is imperative. Comprehensive evaluation of endoscopic features with a novel serum marker, namely, the HALP score, can help predict metachronous carcinogenesis.

Advanced gastric cancer detected during regular follow-up after eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important risk factor for gastric cancer and is a recognized carcinogen. Although eradication of H. pylori reduces the incidence of gastric cancer, cases can still occur after eradication therapy. A number of such cases have been reported, and their early clinicopathological characteristics are becoming clearer. Some reports mention that endoscopic diagnosis of gastric cancer may be difficult after eradication therapy, because the cancer is covered by non-cancerous epithelium. However, there are few reports on advanced gastric cancer after eradication therapy, and its characteristics remain poorly understood. In view of the predicted increase in frequency of advanced gastric cancer after eradication therapy in the near future, it is important to be aware of these cases. In this report, we describe three cases of advanced gastric cancer detected during routine follow-up after eradication.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on malignancy of undifferentiated-type gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although almost all cases of gastric cancer are caused by Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, there are some rare exceptions. Furthermore, the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer may differ depending on HP infection status. This study aimed to determine the clinicopathological characteristics of undifferentiated-type gastric cancer (UD-GC) according to HP status. METHODS: The study involved 83 patients with UD-GC who were selected from 1559 patients with gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic resection at our hospital and whose HP infection status was confirmed. Clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated according to HP status (eradicated, n = 28; infected, n = 32; not infected, n = 23). RESULTS: In patients without HP infection, UD-GCs were < 20 mm and intramucosal with no vascular invasion. In patients with eradicated HP, there was no correlation between development of UD-GC and time since eradication. Nine of twelve patients with a tumor detected ≥ 5 years after eradication had undergone yearly endoscopy. Submucosal invasion was observed in two of four patients and lymphovascular invasion in three of four patients whose UD-GC was detected ≥ 10 years after eradication. There was no significant between-group difference in the frequency of lesions with invasion into the submucosal layer or deeper (14.3%, 10.5%, and 0% in the UD-E, UD-I, and UD-U groups, respectively). CONCLUSION: The clinicopathological characteristics of UD-GC were similar between HP-infected patients and HP-eradicated patients. Three of four patients with eradicated HP whose UD-GC developed ≥ 10 years after eradication were not eligible for endoscopic treatment and required additional surgery resection. In contrast, UD-GC was curable by endoscopic resection in all patients without HP infection.

Clinicopathological Differences between Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Asymptomatic Esophageal Eosinophilia.

Objective According to consensus guidelines, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is defined as a clinicopathological entity whose symptoms and histology must always be considered together. However, endoscopic findings typical of EoE are often seen in asymptomatic esophageal eosinophilia (aEE). We aimed to clarify the clinicopathological features of aEE. Methods We retrospectively compared cases of aEE and those of symptomatic EoE. Materials We reviewed 146 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and were confirmed histopathologically to have esophageal eosinophil infiltration of at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field. They were divided into the aEE group (n=75) and the EoE group (n=71). Patients' clinicopathological findings were then collected and examined. Results The EoE group experienced dysphagia (47.9%), heartburn (40.8%), food impaction (40.8%), chest pain (16.9%), and other symptoms (8.5%). There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to age, sex, current smoking status, or alcohol consumption. The aEE group had a significantly higher body mass index (p<0.01) and significantly lower frequency of concurrent allergic diseases (p<0.01) than the EoE group. No significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to the mean peripheral blood eosinophil count, non-specific immunoglobulin E concentration, peak eosinophil infiltration in the biopsy specimens, EoE histology scoring system, phenotype and location of typical endoscopic findings of EoE, or thickness of the esophagus wall or the mucosal and submucosal layer as measured by endoscopic ultrasonography. Two patients in the aEE group who were followed up without treatment subsequently developed esophageal symptoms. Conclusion aEE and EoE may have the same clinicopathological features.

Real-World Experience of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Neoplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Some studies have recently investigated endoscopic resection of UC-associated neoplasia (UCAN), but the indications for endoscopic resection of UCAN remain controversial. This study sought to clarify the problems encountered in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for UCAN. METHODS: Seventeen lesions in 12 patients with UCAN (UCAN group) and 913 epithelial lesions in 824 control patients without UC (non-UC group) were evaluated. Both groups underwent ESD between January 2010 and December 2017 at Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Treatment outcomes of the 2 groups were compared retrospectively. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that the mean tumor size was significantly smaller in the UCAN group than in the non-UC group (25.1 ± 26.7 mm vs. 31.9 ± 19.0; p = 0.0023); however, the R0 resection rate was significantly lower in the UCAN group (70.6 vs. 92.9%; p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a significantly lower negative horizontal margin rate in the UCAN group (odds ratio 11.3, 95% confidence interval 3.588-34.525; p = 0.000). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: ESD for UCAN is associated with a low-negative horizontal margin rate. When performing ESD for UCAN, it is important to evaluate the accuracy of the UCAN demarcation line, especially for flat lesions, using white-light imaging and chromoendoscopy as well as other modalities, including biopsy of surrounding tissues.

Metachronous carcinogenesis of superficial esophagus squamous cell carcinoma after endoscopic submucosal dissection: incidence and risk stratification during long-term observation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to reveal long-term outcomes, such as incidence of metachronous esophageal and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and overall survival rate, through long-term observation of patients with esophageal carcinoma post-endoscopic submucosal dissection. METHODS: Risk of metachronous carcinogenesis was evaluated in 88 patients with intramucosal esophageal carcinoma (without history of metachronous esophageal or head and neck squamous cell carcinomas) who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection from 2007 to 2008 and were endoscopically observed for > 3 years. Histologically, the papillary vessel is defined as the clock gear-like structure composed of capillaries directly penetrating the epithelium (starting from the lamina propria) and covering at least two-thirds of it, around which the tumor cells are arranged in a spiral pattern. RESULTS: Median endoscopic follow-up period was 11.0 years. Cumulative 2-, 5-, and 10-year metachronous esophageal carcinoma rates were 11.4%, 20.6%, and 39.3%, respectively. Stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified multiple Lugol-voiding lesions (LVLs) as the single significant independent predictor. Cumulative 2-, 5-, and 10-year metachronous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma rates were 6.9%, 10.4%, and 19.6%, respectively. Stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified multiple LVLs, Brinkman index, papillary vessel, and younger age as significant predictive factors. Overall post-endoscopic submucosal dissection survival rates were 98.8% and 87.5% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with a history of esophageal carcinoma remain at risk for metachronous carcinogenesis even > 5 years after endoscopic submucosal dissection. Thus, long-term follow-up is important.

The Evaluation of Esophageal Endoscopic Findings in Patients with Functional Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction.

Objective Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is a diagnosis of unclear significance that has become increasingly common with recent advances in high-resolution manometry (HRM). EGJOO can be divided into mechanical or functional obstruction. Functional EGJOO is considered an incomplete phenotype or an early stage of achalasia. However, little is known about the endoscopic findings in patients with functional EGJOO. Thus, we aimed to elucidate the endoscopic findings in patients with functional EGJOO and to identify patients at high risk for achalasia. Methods This was a single-center retrospective study. A total of 259 patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) along with HRM for upper gastrointestinal symptoms without any obstructive lesions or stricture between July 2013 and September 2019 in our institute. Among them, 31 patients were diagnosed with EGJOO. After excluding patients who had undergone previous endoscopic treatment, those who were diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis and those who had undergone EGD at other institutes, 23 patients were finally included with a diagnosis of functional EGJOO. The endoscopic findings were evaluated by three endoscopists. Results Five patients (21.7%) had an esophageal rosette sign (ERS). No patients had grade IV gastroesophageal flap valve, esophageal mucosal breaks, or abnormal retention of liquid or food in the esophagus. Manometric findings revealed that the median distal contractile integral value was significantly higher in patients with an ERS (n=5) than in those without it (n=18). Conclusion There were some patients with functional EGJOO who had an ERS, which is the characteristic endoscopic finding in achalasia.