Endoscopic mucosal resection for high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma in Barrett's esophagus: an Italian experience

World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Nov 14;11(42):6650-5. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i42.6650.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and/or intramucosal cancer (IMC) in Barrett's esophagus (BE).

Methods: Between June 2000 and December 2003, 39 consecutive patients with HGD (35) and/or IMC (4) underwent EMR. BE >30 mm was present in 27 patients. In three patients with short segment BE (25.0%), HGD was detected in a normal appearing BE. Lesions had a mean diameter of 14.8+/-10.3 mm. Mucosal resection was carried out using the cap method.

Results: The average size of resections was 19.7+/-9.4 x 14.6+/-8.2 mm. Histopathologic assessment post-resection revealed 5 low-grade dysplasia (LGD) (12.8%), 27 HGD (69.2%), 2 IMC (5.1%), and 5 SMC (-12.8%). EMR changed the pre-treatment diagnosis in 10 patients (25.6%). Three patients with SMC underwent surgery. Histology of the surgical specimen revealed 1 T0N0 and 2 T1N0 lesions. The remaining two patients were cancer free at 32.5 and 45.6 mo, respectively. A metachronous lesion was detected after 25 mo in one patient with HGD. Intra-procedural bleeding, controlled at endoscopy, occurred in four patients (10.3%). After a median follow-up of 34.9 mo, all patients remained in remission.

Conclusion: In the medium term, EMR is effective and safe to treat HGD and/or IMC within BE and is a valuable staging method. It could become an alternative to surgery.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Barrett Esophagus* / pathology
  • Barrett Esophagus* / surgery
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Esophagus* / anatomy & histology
  • Esophagus* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Precancerous Conditions
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome