Ching-Tai Lee

The Application of Prague C and M Criteria in the Diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus in an Ethnic Chinese Population

OBJECTIVES:To investigate the prevalence of endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia (ESEM) in an ethnic Chinese population by endoscopic and pathologic evaluation and to assess the utility of Prague C and M criteria.METHODS:Consecutive patients who received esophagogastroduodenoscopy either as a part of therapy for various upper abdominal symptoms or as an annual health check-up were evaluated for the existence of ESEM and Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Biopsy with standardized random four pieces every 2 cm from the four quarters of esophagus with ESEM lesion was performed. BE was defined by histological verification of specialized intestinal metaplasia and gastric metaplasia and was categorized according to the Prague C and M criteria.RESULTS:A total of 5,179 subjects were screened from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2007. This study enrolled 4,797, including 3,386 for referral endoscopy and 1,411 for screening endoscopy. Prevalence of BE among the referral endoscopy, screening endoscopy, and overall was 1.06%, 0.35%, and 0.85%, respectively. A total of 41 subjects with BE were detected among 93 ESEM subjects. Short segment BE (75.6%, n=31) was more prevalent than long segment BE (24.4%, n=10). The proportions of BE from subjects with ESEM by Prague C and M criteria were C≤1M1 38.9% (19/50), C≤1M2 40% (12/30), and C×M≥3 76.9% (10/13).CONCLUSIONS:On the basis of the standardized protocol with random four-quadrate endoscopic biopsy, we have demonstrated the utility of Prague C and M criteria to characterize the BE in an ethnic Chinese population.

RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING SYNCHRONOUS ESOPHAGEAL NEOPLASIA IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER

This study investigated the risk factors for synchronous esophageal neoplasia in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal neoplasia: A single center experience in South Taiwan

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced endoscopic procedure to resect early gastrointestinal neoplasm. It is technically more difficult and risky when used to treat early esophageal tumors. We report our experiences related to performing ESD for early esophageal neoplasia. The efficacy, complications, and outcome were also analyzed. METHODS From December 2007 to April 2010, 22 patients with documented early esophageal neoplasm underwent ESD. All patients completed a meticulous endoscopic examination using conventional endoscopy followed by narrow-band imaging. Lugols staining was performed to identify the margin of the suspicious lesion. Insulation-tipped diathermic knife 2 was used for ESD. RESULTS A total of 26 neoplastic lesions (including 13 tumors with high-grade dysplasia, 12 tumors with squamous cell carcinoma, and one tumor with adenocarcinoma) in 22 patients were enrolled. All patients were men. The mean age was 47.6 ± 8.6 years (range, 30-68 years). The mean size of tumors was 33.7 ± 21.7 mm (range, 8-80 mm). ESD was performed for 24 lesions in 20 patients. The mean size of resected specimens was 43.1 ± 19.2 mm (range, 15-90 mm). The mean operation time was 92.7 ± 69 minutes (range, 30-310 minutes). There were three ESD-related complications, including one with delayed bleeding, one with subcutaneous emphysema, and one with perforation. Two patients received additional operations after ESD due to deep submucosal invasion by cancer. Three lesions in two patients (12.5%) developed post-ESD esophageal stricture that needed repeated endoscopic bougination. There was no procedure-related mortality. No local recurrence was found during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION ESD is a promising local curative treatment option for early esophageal neoplasia in Taiwan. However, this procedure may result in complications that are worth noting, especially post-ESD esophageal stricture. Education regarding this procedure and more hands-on training will facilitate endoscopists to improve the outcomes of patients undergoing this procedure.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Epithelial Tumors: A Multicenter Study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced endoscopic procedure to resect early gastric cancer (EGC). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and complications of ESD for gastric epithelial tumors in Taiwan. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and outcome of ESD in patients who received ESD for gastric epithelial tumors between June 2004 and August 2007. RESULTS A total of 70 patients with gastric epithelial tumors were treated by ESD. The mean age was 66.5 +/- 12.9 years (range, 35-84 years). The mean size of the gastric epithelial tumors was 1.85 +/- 0.81 cm. The mean size of resected specimens was 3.26 +/- 1.39 cm. The one-piece resection rate was 91.4% (64/70). The median operation time was 92.4 minutes. The complicating bleeding and perforation rates were 5.7% (4/70) and 4.3% (3/70), respectively. Emergency surgery was performed for three patients with perforations. The local recurrence rate of gastric cancer was 2.8%. Except for one patient who died of congestive heart failure and another who died of stroke, the remaining 68 patients (97.1%) survived. CONCLUSION ESD is a promising local curative treatment option for EGC in Taiwan but it still carries risks of perforation and bleeding. The education and learning curve of endoscopists will improve the outcome of this procedure.

The Relationship Between Visceral Adiposity and the Risk of Erosive Esophagitis in Severely Obese Chinese Patients

A higher prevalence of erosive esophagitis is found in obese than in nonobese patients; however, it remains unclear why some obese patients develop this disease, whereas others do not. Accordingly, we elucidated the risk factors associated with erosive esophagitis in severely obese Chinese patients. Between June 2007 and January 2009, a total of 260 Chinese patients with morbid obesity referred for bariatric surgery were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. All patients received preoperative endoscopy for evaluation of the presence and severity of erosive esophagitis. Demographic variables, anthropometric measurements, and metabolic factors were included in a logistic regression model to identify the factors predictive of erosive esophagitis. The prevalence of erosive esophagitis was 32.3%. Multiple logistic regression showed that increased waist circumference (odds ratio (OR) = 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.04), increased insulin resistance (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.06–2.31), and presence of reflux symptoms (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.22–4.74) were independent risk factors associated with erosive esophagitis. In conclusion, among Chinese patients with morbid obesity, increased waist circumference and insulin resistance were risk factors for erosive esophagitis, which highlights the critical role of visceral adiposity in the pathogenesis of erosive esophagitis.

The benefit of pretreatment esophageal screening with image-enhanced endoscopy on the survival of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND Synchronous esophageal cancers can suppress the survival of patients with hypopharyngeal cancers. Esophageal screening with the image-enhanced endoscopy may identify more synchronous cancers while there is no evidence to support its benefit on survival. METHODS A total of 281 and 320 patients were diagnosed with hypopharyngeal cancer before and after the policy of routine esophageal screening. Primary outcome measures were overall survival. RESULTS Among those who received screening, 49 patients (49/180, 27.2%) had synchronous esophageal cancers; treatment planning was changed in 42 (23.3%). Before and after the policy, percentages of stage I-II synchronous cancers were 20% (3/15) and 53.1% (26/49), respectively. Adjunctive therapies for synchronous cancers have led to a better survival after the policy than before (P = 0.002). The Cox regression model quantified a survival benefit of 29% (95% CI: 11-43%) when adjusting for TNM stage of hypopharyngeal cancer. In post-policy period, the survival was better for those who chose screening than those who did not (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.41-0.79). Among those without screening, there was no difference between the pre- and post-policy periods (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.74-1.26). CONCLUSIONS Patients with hypopharyngeal cancers may benefit from the esophageal screening with image-enhanced endoscopy through the better detection of early-stage synchronous cancers.

Circumferential balloon-based radiofrequency ablation for ultralong and extensive flat esophageal squamous neoplasia

Esophageal cancer is highly lethal and causes more than 400,000 deaths per year worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific region, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is the major form of the disease, and its incidence is increasing. Recent advances in image-enhanced endoscopy have led to earlier diagnosis of esophageal squamous mucosal cancer or precancerous lesions. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) enables large en bloc resection of these superficial esophageal cancers, but the technique is complicated and requires considerable expertise. In particular, when there are large lesions or lesions that occupy more than threefourths of the circumference of the esophagus, patients will have esophageal stenosis. Stenosis can decrease quality of life, and treatment requires multiple sessions of endoscopic balloon dilation. Therefore, it is important to have an alternative and more convenient method to treat these large and extensive esophageal squamous neoplasias. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a rapidly evolving therapeutic modality, and recent studies have shown its efficacy and safety for eradicating high-grade dysplasia in cases of Barrett’s esophagus. RFA also has theoretical potential for treating squamous epithelial neoplasias. However, only a few studies have demonstrated the potential efficacy for squamous neoplasia, and no studies have

Quantification of tumor infiltrating Foxp3+ regulatory T cells enables the identification of high-risk patients for developing synchronous cancers over upper aerodigestive tract

OBJECTIVES Patients with squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of upper aerodigestive tract, either over head and neck (HNSCC) or esophagus (ESCC), frequently developed synchronous multiple cancers, leading to worse prognosis. This study validated whether suppression of host cancer immunosurveillance mediated by regulatory T cells (Treg) may predispose to the development of synchronous cancers. METHODS Tumor tissues of 200 patients (100 ESCC only, 50 HNSCC only, and 50 synchronous SCCs) were quantitatively accessed for the tumor infiltrating Treg by immunohistochemistry. The density of Treg was also correlated to the level of Treg-associated inhibitory cytokines (IL-10, IL-35 and TGF-β1), and chemokine (CCL22). RESULTS The density of tumor infiltrating Treg in the index tumor (i.e. the first malignancy diagnosed) of synchronous SCC group was higher than those of HNSCC or ESCC only (p<0.05). Selecting the optimal cut-off value of Treg density as 34.6 cells/mm(2) by ROC curve, an increased Treg density of the index tumor can be an independent factor for developing synchronous SCCs (OR: 6.13; 95% CI: 2.84-13.26). The Treg density was positively correlated with serum IL-10 level and the degree of CCL22-positive cells infiltration in tumor. Furthermore, the serum inhibitory cytokine IL-10 level was higher in synchronous SCC than in non-synchronous ones (p<0.001), that indicated the cellular immunosuppression in patients with synchronous cancers. CONCLUSIONS A more severe defect in cellular immunity may predispose to multifocal tumor. The Treg cell number in SCC may serve as a novel predictive biomarker for the risk of synchronous cancer development to initiate a proper surveillance program.

Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Treating Large Early Esophageal Squamous Cell Neoplasia

AbstractRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can potentially be applied for early esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN); however, no study has directly compared these 2 modalities.We retrospectively enrolled the patients with flat-type “large” (length ≥3 cm extending ≥1/2 of the circumference of esophagus) early ESCNs treated endoscopically. The main outcome measurements were complete response at 12 months, and adverse events.Of a total of 65 patients, 18 were treated with RFA and 47 with ESD. The procedure time of RFA was significantly shorter than that of ESD (126.6 vs 34.8 min; P < 0.001). The complete resection rate of ESD and complete response rate after primary RFA were 89.3% and 77.8%, respectively. Based on the histological evaluation of the post-ESD specimens showed 14 of 47 (29.8%) had histological upstaging compared with the pre-ESD biopsies, and 4 of them had lymphovascular invasion requiring chemoradiation or surgery. After additional therapy for residual lesions, 46 (97.9%) patients in the ESD group and 17 (94.4%) patients in the RFA group achieved a complete response at 12 months. Four patients (8.5%) developed major procedure-related adverse events in the ESD group, but none in the RFA group. In patients with lesions occupying more than 3/4 of the circumference, a significantly higher risk of esophageal stenosis was noted in the ESD group compared with RFA group (83% vs 27%, P = 0.01), which required more sessions of dilatation to resolve the symptoms (median, 13 vs 3, P = 0.04). There were no procedure-related mortality or neoplastic progression in either group; however, 1 patient who received ESD and 1 who received RFA developed local recurrence during a median follow-up period of 32.4 (range, 13–68) and 18.0 (range, 13–41) months, respectively.RFA and ESD are equally effective in the short-term treatment of early flat large ESCNs; however, more adverse events occur with ESD, especially in lesions extending more than 3/4 of the circumference. RFA does not allow for pathology to evaluate the curability after ablation, and thus currently the use for invasive ESCNs should be conservative until longer follow-up studies are available.

An endoscopic training model to improve accuracy of colonic polyp size measurement

PurposeMost studies of colonic polyps rely on visual estimation when regarding polyp size; however, the reliability of a visual estimate is questionable. Our study aims to develop a training model to improve the accuracy of size estimation of colonic polyps in vivo.MethodsColon polyps were recorded on 160 video clips during colonoscopy. The size of each polyp was estimated by visual inspection and subsequently measured with a flexible linear measuring probe. The study included a pretest, an intervention, and a posttest. The pretest included 160 video clips, which comprised the visual-estimation portion of the study. The intervention was an educational model consisting of 30 video clips which included a visual-estimation section and a linear-measuring-probe section, designed to help the endoscopists to compare their visual estimate of size with the measured size of the polyps. The posttest included the 160 video clips used in the pretest, presented in random order. Intraobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy were compared before and after the training session.ResultsEight beginners and four experienced colonoscopists were enrolled. The overall kappa (κ) values of intraobserver agreement for pretest and posttest were 0.74 and 0.85 for beginner group as well as 0.83 and 0.88 for experienced group, respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy improved from 0.52 to 0.78 for beginner group and 0.71 to 0.87 for experienced group (P < 0.05) after education with the training model.ConclusionsThis training model could help endoscopists improve the accuracy of measurement of polyps on colonoscopy in a short period. The durability of learning effect needs further investigation.