Curative endoscopic resection of early esophageal adenocarcinomas (Barrett's cancer)

• Published in: Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2007, Vol.65 (1), p.3-10
• Main Authors: Ell, Christian, MD, May, Andrea, MD, Pech, Oliver, MD, Gossner, Liebwin, MD, Guenter, Erwin, MD, Behrens, Angelika, MD, Nachbar, Lars, MD, Huijsmans, Josephus, MD, Vieth, Michael, MD, Stolte, Manfred, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - diagnostic imaging; Adenocarcinoma - mortality; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adenocarcinoma - surgery; Aged; Barrett Esophagus - diagnostic imaging; Barrett Esophagus - mortality; Barrett Esophagus - pathology; Barrett Esophagus - prevention & control; Barrett Esophagus - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Digestive system. Abdomen; Endoscopy; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal - methods; Endosonography; Esophageal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Esophageal Neoplasms - mortality; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Esophageal Neoplasms - surgery; Esophagus; Female; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Life Tables; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mucous Membrane - surgery; Other diseases. Semiology; Prospective Studies; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Treatment Outcome; Tumors
• ISSN: 0016-5107; 1097-6779
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2006.04.033

Background In view of the increasing incidence of adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus and the mortality and high morbidity rates associated with surgical therapy for this condition, safe and effective but less invasive methods of treatment are needed. Objective To evaluate efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection in these patients. Design Single-center prospective study. Setting Teaching hospital, conducted between October 1996 and September 2003. Patients A total of 100 consecutive patients (mean age, 62.1 ± 10.9 years; range, 31–86 years) with low-risk adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (macroscopic types I, IIa, IIb, and IIc; lesion diameter up to 20 mm; mucosal lesion without invasion into lymph vessels and veins; and histologic grades G1 and G2) arising in Barrett's metaplasia. Interventions Endoscopic resection with the suck-and-cut technique. Main Outcome Measurements Complete local remission. Results A total of 144 resections (1.47 per patient) were performed without technical problems. No major complications and only 11 minor ones (bleedings without decrease of Hb >2 g/dL; treated with injection therapy) occurred. Complete local remission was achieved in 99 of the 100 patients after 1.9 months (range, 1–18 months) and a maximum of 3 resections. During a mean follow-up period of 36.7 months, recurrent or metachronous carcinomas were found in 11% of the patients, but successful repeat treatment with endoscopic resection was possible in all of these cases. The calculated 5-year survival rate was 98%. Two patients died of other causes. Limitations Nonblinded, nonrandomized study. Conclusions Endoscopic resection is associated with favorable outcomes for low-risk patients with early esophageal adenocarcinoma (Barrett's carcinoma).