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Original article
DOI: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000001692 789
Endoscopic resection of early squamous neoplasia
of the oesophagus: long-term follow-up in a UK
population from a tertiary hospital
Jen Yee Kuan
a
, Sameul Baskind
b
, Yeson Kim
a
, Stephen McGrath
c
, Ramakrishna Chaparala
d
,
Arash Assadsangabi
b
, Neeraj Prasad
b
, George Regi
e
and Yeng Ang
b,f
Introduction
Endoscopic resection is a minimally invasive technique
that has been steadily gaining acceptance worldwide as a
promising treatment for early-stage oesophageal squamous
cell carcinoma (OSCC) [1–6]. Endoscopic resection can be
classifed into piecemeal [endoscopic piecemeal mucosal
resection (EpMR)] and en-bloc resections. En-bloc resec-
tions can be further subdivided into endoscopic mucosal
resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)
and hybrid ESD. According to the European Society of
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline, the main
criterion for endoscopic resection selection is the size of
the tumour [7]. Additionally, it is recommended to be the
primary treatment option for patients who are deemed
to have increased risk for surgery [8]. The management
of early-stage OSCC is highly dependent on two factors:
the risk of lymph node metastases (>10% when lesion
involves deeper than T1M2) versus the signifcant risks of
morbidity and mortality associated with oesophagectomy
[1,3,7–9]. Endoscopic resection shows a similar oncologic
success rate as oesophagectomy with the additional bene-
fts of being less invasive, less costly and has shorter oper-
ation times and hospital stays [2,6,9,10,11]. Endoscopic
resection has the potential to be a better treatment for
early-stage OSCC due to its safety profle and comparable
curative outcomes to surgery [9].
Endoscopic resection has been reported to be superior
to endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic biopsy
at detecting the presence of submucosal invasion and the
metastatic potential of oesophageal squamous neoplasia
[7,12,13]. Previous studies have reported that endoscopic
resection specimens changed the diagnostic grade in
20–40% of lesions [7,13–15]. This can help guide subse-
quent management decisions and therapeutic strategies by
avoiding under or over treatment [13,14].
Research evidence for the effcacy of endoscopic resec-
tion is predominantly sourced from Japan where it is
well established for the treatment of early-stage OSCC
[7]. However, the epidemiology of oesophageal cancer in
Japan is different from the UK, and the undertaking of
robust endoscopic resection studies is lacking in the West
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2020, 32:789–796
Keywords: early oesophageal cancer, endoscopic mucosal resection,
endoscopic resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, oesophageal
squamous cell carcinoma
Departments of
a
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University
of Manchester, Manchester, UK,
b
Gastroenterology,
c
Pathology,
d
Upper
GI Surgery, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford,
e
Department of
Gastroenterology, Acute Pennine NHS Foundation Trust, Rochdale Infirmary,
Rochdale and
f
GI Science, DEG Division, FBMH, University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK
Correspondence to Yeng Ang, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Salford
Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford M6 8HD, and GI Science, DEG Division,
FBMH, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Tel: +44 0161 2065794; e-mail: yeng.ang@srft.nhs.uk
Received 10 September 2019 Accepted 3 January 2020
Aim To review the efficacy and outcomes of endoscopic resection in the diagnosis and treatment of oesophageal
squamous dysplasia and early neoplasia.
Methods This was a retrospective study between May 2012–2018. Twenty-one patients were treated with or considered for
treatment with endoscopic resection at a tertiary hospital in the UK. The primary outcome was curative resection, defined as
histologically proven complete resection of the lesion with deep/vertical margin ≥1 mm from neoplasia. Secondary outcomes
were changes in staging from endoscopic resection histology, whether there was a complete reversal of dysplasia at
12-months or the latest endoscopic follow-up and 5-year overall survival rate.
Results Seventeen patients (mean age = 66.5 years) with 20 lesions (35% en-bloc; 65% piecemeal resections) had
endoscopic resection performed. Complete resection was achieved in 90% of lesions by endoscopic criteria, but this was
confirmed in fewer lesions histologically. Curative resection was achieved histologically in 60% of lesions (11 patients) and
noncurative resection in 40% of lesions (6 patients). Changes in staging from endoscopic resection histology were found
in 79.2% of lesions (41.7% upstaged; 37.5% downstaged). No patients were found to have recurrence at their 12-month
endoscopic follow-up. Eight of the 11 patients (72.7%) with curative resection remained clear of dysplasia/neoplasia
throughout their follow-up (mean, 24.3 months; median, 19 months). The five-year overall survival rate was 64%.
Conclusion In UK, endoscopic resection is useful in the management of early squamous neoplasia both for staging and (by
piecemeal endoscopic resection in elderly unfit) for medium- to long-term disease clearance. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 32:
789–796
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