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World Journal of Gastrointestinal... Mar 2019The progression of Barrett's esophagus (BE) to early esophageal carcinoma occurs sequentially; the metaplastic epithelium develops from a low-grade dysplasia to a...
Treatment of high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma using radiofrequency ablation or endoscopic mucosal resection + radiofrequency ablation: Meta-analysis and systematic review.
BACKGROUND
The progression of Barrett's esophagus (BE) to early esophageal carcinoma occurs sequentially; the metaplastic epithelium develops from a low-grade dysplasia to a high-grade dysplasia (HGD), resulting in early esophageal carcinoma and, eventually, invasive carcinoma. Endoscopic approaches including resection and ablation can be used in the treatment of this condition.
AIM
To compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) + RFA in the endoscopic treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma.
METHODS
In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review included studies comparing the two endoscopic techniques (EMR + RFA and RFA alone) in the treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma in patients with BE. Our analysis included studies involving adult patients of any age with BE with HGD or intramucosal carcinoma. The studies compared RFA and EMR + RFA methods were included regardless of randomization status.
RESULTS
The seven studies included in this review represent a total of 1950 patients, with 742 in the EMR + RFA group and 1208 in the RFA alone group. The use of EMR + RFA was significantly more effective in the treatment of HGD [RD 0.35 (0.15, 0.56)] than was the use of RFA alone. The evaluated complications (stenosis, bleeding, and thoracic pain) were not significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Endoscopic resection in combination with RFA is a safe and effective method in the treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma, with higher rates of remission and no significant differences in complication rates when compared to the use of RFA alone.
PubMed: 30918589
DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v11.i3.239 -
Journal of B.U.ON. : Official Journal... 2018The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature of esophageal carcinosarcomas (ECS) and report epidemiologic and clinicopathologic data for this...
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature of esophageal carcinosarcomas (ECS) and report epidemiologic and clinicopathologic data for this rare entity. We also attempted to shed light to the biologic behavior of ECSs with special reference to factors that may affect disease-free (DES) and overall survival (OS).
METHODS
A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases (Search date: 12 May 2017). The search strategy referred to carcinosarcoma OR pseudosarcoma OR polypoid carcinoma OR sarcomatoid carcinoma OR spindle-cell squamous cell carcinoma OR metaplastic carcinoma OR pseudosarcomatous carcinoma AND esophagus. A total number of 103 ECS patients was identified. Results: ECs most frequently occur in middle-aged as well as elderly men with a history of smoking or drinking. Middle and/or lower esophagus remains the most common location. Imaging plays a pivotal role in the management of ECS by delineating the anatomic extent of the tumor and thereby determining the appropriate therapeutic strategy. Nevertheless, immunohistochemistry is the gold standard for the diagnosis of carcinosarcomas, since it has been demonstrated that CEA, EMA, pancreatin, chromogranin A, CD56 and synaptophysin staining are highly specific markers for the carcinomatous components, while desmin, vimentin and smooth muscle/sarcomeric actin show affinity for the sarcomatous elements. Esophagectomy has been traditionally considered the treatment modality of choice. Endoscopic procedures, including mucosal resection and submucosal dissection have also been proposed. Alternative therapies, such as radio- and chemotherapy proved insufficient.
CONCLUSION
ECS is a rare tumor. Immunohistochemistry is the gold standard for the diagnosis of this disease. Esophagectomy has been traditionally considered the treatment modality of choice. Endoscopic procedures have also been proposed while potential benefit of alternative therapies, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains controversial.
Topics: Carcinosarcoma; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male
PubMed: 30570870
DOI: No ID Found -
The American Journal of Gastroenterology Nov 2011Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus can bury metaplastic glands under a layer of neosquamous epithelium. To explore the frequency and importance of buried... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus can bury metaplastic glands under a layer of neosquamous epithelium. To explore the frequency and importance of buried metaplasia, we have conducted a systematic review of reports on endoscopic ablation.
METHODS
We performed computerized and manual searches for articles on the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for Barrett's esophagus. We extracted information on the number of patients treated, biopsy protocol, biopsy depth, and frequency of buried metaplasia.
RESULTS
We found 9 articles describing 34 patients with neoplasia appearing in buried metaplasia (31 after PDT). We found five articles describing a baseline prevalence of buried metaplasia (before ablation) ranging from 0% to 28%. In 22 reports on PDT for 953 patients, buried metaplasia was found in 135 (14.2%); in 18 reports on RFA for 1,004 patients, buried metaplasia was found in only 9 (0.9%). A major problem limiting the conclusions that can be drawn from these reports is that they do not describe specifically how frequently biopsy specimens contained sufficient subepithelial lamina propria to be informative for buried metaplasia.
CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic ablation can bury metaplastic glands with neoplastic potential but, even without ablation, buried metaplasia often is found in areas where Barrett's epithelium abuts squamous epithelium. Buried metaplasia is reported less frequently after RFA than after PDT. However, available reports do not provide crucial information on the adequacy of biopsy specimens and, therefore, the frequency and importance of buried metaplasia after endoscopic ablation remain unclear.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Barrett Esophagus; Catheter Ablation; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagoscopy; Humans; Metaplasia; Photochemotherapy
PubMed: 21826111
DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2011.255