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Biomedical subjects

Andrea May

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea May.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

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

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).

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2007

Endoscopic interventions in the small bowel using double balloon enteroscopy: feasibility and limitations.

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a new endoscopic tool that not only allows diagnostic workup of small bowel diseases, but also makes it possible to carry out therapeutic interventions. However, for a variety of reasons, endoscopic therapy appears to be more difficult to carry out deep in the small bowel than in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute technical success and acute complication rate of DBE. PATIENTS: Between June 2003 and July 2006, 353 patients (152 women, 201 men; mean age 60.3 +/- 17.1 yr) with suspected or known small bowel disease underwent 635 consecutive DBE procedures. The majority of the patients were suffering from midgastrointestinal bleeding (N = 210, 60%). The overall diagnostic yield was 75% (265/353) for relevant lesions in the small bowel. The overall therapeutic yield was 67% (236/353). METHODS: Endoscopic therapy was performed in 59% of these patients (139/236). All therapeutic interventions were done in an inpatient manner. The majority of the procedures were carried out with the patients under conscious sedation (N = 130, 73%); sedation with propofol was administered in 37 (20.8%) and with a combination of propofol and meperidine in 11 (6.2%) investigations. RESULTS: A total of 178 therapeutic procedures was carried out. A median of 270 cm of the small bowel was visualized using the oral route and a median of 150 cm using the anal route. The investigation time averaged 78 +/- 30 minutes. The endoscopic treatments included argon plasma coagulation (APC, 102 treatment sessions), injection therapy (N = 2), a combination of APC and injection (N = 6), polypectomies (N = 46), dilation therapy (N = 18), and foreign-body extraction (N = 3). In 6/178 cases (3.4%), polypectomy (N = 2), dilation (N = 3), and implantation of a self-expanding metal stent (N = 1) could not be performed successfully for technical or anatomical reasons. Severe treatment-associated complications occurred in six of the 178 therapeutic procedures (3.4%) and 4/139 patients (2.9%), consisting of bleeding (N = 2) and perforation (N = 3) during and after polypectomy of large polyps (>3 cm in size), as well as one case of segmental enteritis after APC. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic therapeutic interventions can be performed safely even in the more difficult conditions of the small bowel in the majority of patients. Polypectomy of large polyps appears to be the procedure associated with the highest risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Ablation of nonneoplastic Barrett's mucosa using argon plasma coagulation with concomitant esomeprazole therapy (APBANEX): a prospective multicenter evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Complete reversal of Barrett's epithelium (BE) achieved by treatment with argon plasma coagulation (APC) is variable. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of high-power APC in a multicenter trial. METHODS: In seven study centers, 60 patients (mean age 57, range 27-77) with nonneoplastic BE (length 1-8 cm) were recruited for treatment with high-power APC (90 W) in combination with esomeprazole 80 mg/day. Video endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, and four-quadrant biopsies (4QB) were carried out during baseline endoscopy and regular intervals. The effect of ablation was classified as complete remission (CR), partial remission, or minor response. RESULTS: Fifty-one of the 60 patients completed ablation therapy. Three patients were lost to follow-up (FU). After a mean of 2.6 APC sessions (range 1-5) and a mean FU of 14 months (range 12-32), CR was achieved in 37 of 48 patients (77%). Major complications occurred in five of 51 patients (9.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Complete ablation of BE can be achieved in a high percentage of patients even in a multicenter design using high-power APC. However, APC has a relevant morbidity. Therefore, ablation of nonneoplastic BE cannot be recommended generally because incidence of cancer in BE is low.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Diagnosis and treatment of early esophageal cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Increasing numbers of early esophageal neoplasias (especially Barrett's cancer) are being detected in Western countries, so that endoscopic therapy with a curative intent plays an increasing role. RECENT FINDINGS: Technological advances in endoscope development and auxiliary techniques such as chromoendoscopy increase the detection rate of early esophageal neoplasias. In all localizable lesions (high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and mucosal cancers), the treatment of choice is endoscopic resection, which allows histological assessment. Photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid is suitable mainly in nonlocalizable neoplasias. Intensive photodynamic therapy with porfimer sodium should not be used, due to the high complication rate. The rationale for endoscopic therapy is that there is a very low risk of lymph-node metastasis in mucosal carcinomas, lower than the mortality risk with surgery. Surveillance of these endoscopically treated patients is absolutely necessary to detect recurrent or metachronous lesions, which can again be treated endoscopically. SUMMARY: Careful staging is indispensable before curative endoscopic therapy, as is consistent and careful follow-up. Endoscopic therapy is safe and effective, and endoscopic resection is the treatment of choice. Endoscopic therapy can replace radical esophageal resection in early mucosal esophageal carcinoma (at least in lesions with good to moderate differentiation and no lymph-node invasion).

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2006

Push-and-pull enteroscopy using the double-balloon technique (double-balloon enteroscopy) for the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum in adult patients with GI bleeding of obscure origin.

BACKGROUND: Meckel's diverticulum (MD) occurs in 2-3% of the population. Although the clinical, histopathologic, and radiologic features of the complications of MD are well known, the diagnosis may be difficult before surgery. CASE REPORT: Three patients (age 22-34 yr, two women) presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding of obscure origin underwent multiple endoscopic and radiologic tests including capsule endoscopy and Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy before push-and-pull enteroscopy using a double-balloon technique (double-balloon enteroscopy). Double-balloon enteroscopy was performed in all three patients using oral and anal approaches to evaluate the entire intestine. In one case, MD was detected using the oral route; the diagnosis was confirmed using the anal approach. In two patients, the lumen of MD was disclosed using the anal route. No procedure-related complications occurred. Push-and-pull enteroscopy was the only nonsurgical procedure that provided a precise diagnosis. All patients underwent surgical resection of the diverticulum. In one case, ectopic gastric tissue was found histologically. No further bleeding occurred during follow-up (6-9 months). CONCLUSIONS: Keeping the low sensitivity of Tc-99m scintigraphy in the adult population in mind, double-balloon enteroscopy might be the modality of choice in young adult patients with acute recurrent GI bleeding of obscure origin and a suspected diagnosis of MD.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The impact of endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography on the TNM staging of early cancer in Barrett's esophagus.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are part of the regular staging protocol in esophageal cancer. The value of the two methods was assessed in patients with early cancer in Barrett's esophagus. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients (median age 64 yr, interquartile range [IQR] 58-72) with suspected early cancer in Barrett's esophagus who were referred to our hospital for endoscopic therapy were prospectively included in a standardized staging program with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, EUS (7.5 MHz in all cases plus 12.5 or 20 MHz for elevated and/or depressed lesions), CT of the chest and upper abdomen, and abdominal ultrasonography. The results were summarized in accordance with the TNM classification. On the basis of the lymph node findings on CT and/or EUS, the patients were assigned to three categories: C1, no suspicious lymph nodes; C2, paraesophageal lymph nodes < or =1 cm in size at the tumor level, lymph nodes > or =1 cm in size not at the tumor level in the mediastinum or celiac trunk; and C3, paraesophageal lymph nodes > 1 cm in size at the tumor level. The EUS and CT findings were checked every 6 months in patients who underwent endoscopic treatment. Surgical resection was scheduled in operable patients if staging showed a T category higher than T1 and/or the lymph node staging was assessed as C3. Patients with suspected submucosal infiltration underwent diagnostic endoscopic resection, and if submucosal involvement was confirmed were referred for surgery. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 25 months (IQR 19.5-30.0). The T category diagnosed with CT was < or = T1 in all patients. On EUS, the T category was classified as T1 in 92% of cases (N = 92) and as > T1 in 8% (N = 8, p < 0.05). Enlarged lymph nodes (C2 and C3) were detected in 45% of the patients. Significantly more C2 lymph nodes were diagnosed with EUS than CT (28 vs 19, p < 0.05). Lymph nodes at the level with the highest suspicion, C3, were detected using CT in only three of nine cases. Sensitivity of CT for N staging was not acceptable compared with EUS (38%vs 75%). No extranodal metastases were found on CT. CONCLUSIONS: In suspected early cancer in Barrett's esophagus, EUS is superior to CT for T staging and N staging. As CT had no influence on the TNM classification in any of these patients, it may be possible to dispense with this method as a staging procedure in patients with cancer in Barrett's esophagus. By contrast, EUS is required in order to differentiate between patients with cancer in Barrett's esophagus in whom endoscopic therapy is suitable and those in whom surgical treatment is required.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Prospective comparison of push enteroscopy and push-and-pull enteroscopy in patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The management of patients with suspected mid-gastrointestinal bleeding has in the past been difficult, as push enteroscopy (PE) only allows limited endoscopic access for diagnosis and treatment. Recently published uncontrolled data on push-and-pull enteroscopy (PPE) using the double-balloon technique suggest that this new method has a high diagnostic yield and therapeutic efficacy. A prospective controlled study was therefore carried out to compare PPE with PE as the common nonsurgical gold standard method. METHODS: The diagnostic yield, complications, and various examination parameters were compared in 52 consecutive patients with suspected mid-gastrointestinal bleeding who were evaluated with both enteroscopy methods. RESULTS: No relevant complications were observed with either method. Sedoanalgesia, examination times, and X-ray exposure were lower with PE. The insertion depth was significantly greater with PPE than with PE (230 cm vs 80 cm, p < 0.0001). The overall diagnostic yield with PPE (38 of 52 patients, 73%) and the results of oral PPE only (33 of 52 patients, 63%) were superior to those with PE (23 of 52 patients, 44%; p < 0.0001). PPE identified additional lesions in deeper parts of the small bowel in PE-positive patients in 78% of cases (18 of 23 patients). CONCLUSIONS: For endoscopic examination of the small bowel in patients with suspected mid-gastrointestinal bleeding, PPE is superior to PE with regard to the length of small bowel visualized, as well as the diagnostic yield. As the method also allows endoscopic treatment to be carried out, PPE should always be considered before open surgery and intraoperative endoscopy in patients with mid-gastrointestinal bleeding.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The European experience with double-balloon enteroscopy: indications, methodology, safety, and clinical impact.

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a new technique that allows high-resolution visualization, biopsies, and therapeutic interventions in all segments of the GI tract. The objective of the study was to evaluate the indications, the safety, and the clinical impact of DBE. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis conducted at 4 European medical centers. A total of 62 patients with suspected or documented small-bowel diseases were investigated by DBE. A total of 89 procedures were performed (26 and 9 patients from the oral or the anal route, respectively; 27 patients from both). The main outcome measurements were complications, depth and time of insertion, diagnostics, and therapeutics rates. RESULTS: No complications occurred. Mean time was 70 +/- 30 minutes and 90 +/- 35 minutes from the oral and the anal route, respectively. Length of insertion was 254 +/- 174 cm beyond the pylorus, 180 +/- 150 cm beyond the ileocecal valve, whereas the entire small bowel was completely explored in 10 patients. DBE was diagnostic in 80% of the patients: in 29 of 33 of patients with GI bleeding, in one of 5 patients with iron deficiency anemia and positive fecal occult blood testing, in 3 of 5 patients with chronic diarrhea, in two of 3 patients with abdominal pain, in two of 3 patients with GI cancer (follow-up), in all patients with suspected or refractory celiac disease, and in two of 3 patients with Crohn's disease. Treatment was performed in 41.9% of patients (22 polyps and 29 angioectesias). CONCLUSIONS: DBE is a safe and feasible diagnostic and therapeutic tool for suspected or documented small-bowel diseases. At present, the best candidates for the procedure appear to be those with obscure GI bleeding.

Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal↗
PubMed2005

Long-term results of photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid for superficial Barrett's cancer and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has proven to be safe and effective in patients with early neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus. However, long-term results in patients with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or with early cancer are still lacking. METHODS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of ALA-PDT and the survival of patients with early Barrett's neoplasia. ALA-PDT was carried out in 66 patients. Protoporphyrin IX induced by oral administration of ALA (60 mg/kg body weight orally applied 4-6 hours before PDT) was used as the photosensitizer. Acid suppression was maintained in all patients. RESULTS: Between September 1996 and September 2002, 667 patients with early neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus were referred for local endoscopic therapy. A total of 558 patients fulfilled the criteria for local endoscopic therapy, and 66 patients (mean [standard deviation] age 61.4 [10.2] years) with HGIN (group A; n = 35) and early adenocarcinoma (group B; n = 31) were treated by PDT. A total of 82 ALA-PDT were performed. A total of 34 of the 35 patients in group A (97%) and all patients in group B (100%) achieved a complete response during a median follow-up period of 37 months (interquartile range 23-55) (not significant). One local recurrence was observed in group A and 10 in group B (p < 0.005). Seven patients died during follow-up; but, all deaths were not tumor related. No major complications were observed. Disease-free survival in patients with HGIN was 89%, and, in patients with mucosal cancer, it was 68%. The calculated 5-year survival was 97% in group A and 80% in group B, but there occurred no death related to Barrett's neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The excellent long-term results of PDT with ALA in patients with HGIN or mucosal cancer might offer PDT with ALA as an alternative to surgical esophagectomy and endoscopic resection, especially in cases with multifocal Barrett's neoplasia.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) of the small bowel: feasibility and diagnostic and therapeutic yield in patients with suspected small bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) is a new method that allows complete visualization, biopsy, and treatment in the small bowel. This study evaluated the feasibility and the diagnostic and the therapeutic yield of double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) in comparison with current imaging methods. METHODS: Between March 2003 and November 2004, 248 consecutive double-balloon enteroscopies (push-and-pull enteroscopies) were performed in a prospective study in 137 patients with suspected small-bowel disease (60 women, 77 men; mean age 56.6 +/- 17.8 years), most with chronic GI bleeding (66%). The examinations were carried out after negative evaluations with other methods or to allow biopsy or treatment in patients with known small-bowel findings. RESULTS: There were no relevant technical problems or severe complications. On average, 240 +/- 100 cm of the small bowel was visualized by using the oral route and 140 +/- 90 cm was visualized by using the anal route. The investigation time averaged 73.5 +/- 25 minutes. The overall diagnostic yield was 80% (109/137 patients). The main diagnosis was angiodysplasia (40/109; 37%); erosions and ulcerations of various etiologies were found in 27% (29/109). Polyps and tumors were identified, including malignancy, in 25% (27/109). Other findings were detected in a further 11%. No relevant pathology was found in 20%. Subsequent treatment was influenced by the results in 104 patients (76%): endoscopic therapy in 57 (41.5%), medical treatment in 23 (17%), and surgery in 24 (17.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) is safe and easily conducted. Visualization and tissue sampling are possible in the entire small bowel by using the oral and anal approaches, and treatment is possible in the same way as in standard endoscopy, avoiding open surgery. If further prospective studies confirm its value, double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) may become a standard method of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy in the small bowel.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Influence of patient selection on the outcome of capsule endoscopy in patients with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: In chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, success rates in the range of 48% to 76% have been reported for diagnosing clear bleeding sources using capsule endoscopy. The influence of patient selection on the numbers of positive findings yielded by capsule endoscopy is as yet unclear. METHODS: From April 2001 to June 2003, capsule endoscopy was carried out in 74 of a total of 127 patients (58%) who presented for capsule endoscopy with a high suspicion of gastrointestinal bleeding in the small-bowel region. Seventy of the 74 patients were included in the analysis. This group of patients was divided into a study group (32 patients) and a post-study group (38 patients), and the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Stricter patient selection was carried out in the study group than in the post-study group: 49% of those in the study group underwent capsule endoscopy, compared with 65% of those in the post-study group. The overall success rate for detecting relevant bleeding sources was 54%; in the study group, the rate was 66%; whereas in the post-study group, it was only 45%. Significant differences observed between the two groups of patients included the lowest hemoglobin value (5.9+/-1.4 g/dL in the study group, compared with 7.7+/-2.1 g/dL in the post-study group) and transfusion requirements (a median of 10 units in the study group, vs. 2 units in the post-study group). None of the patients who had a minimum hemoglobin value >or=10 g/dL had a positive capsule result. CONCLUSIONS: Patient selection has a considerable influence on the success rate of capsule endoscopy. In patients with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, the minimum hemoglobin value and transfusion requirements appear to be the decisive parameters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Capsule endoscopy versus standard tests in influencing management of obscure digestive bleeding: results from a German multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new modality for obscure digestive bleeding (OBD), but little is known about its influence on management and outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients (male/female 26/30; mean age 63 yr) with ODB, and negative upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy were included in this multicenter study. The diagnostic yield of CE was compared to three other tests (OT: push enteroscopy, enteroclysis, angiography), and patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Parameters were analyzed that led to major management changes such as surgical or endoscopic intervention or specific medical therapy, as well as their correlation to further bleeding. RESULTS: CE had a diagnostic yield higher than OT (68% vs 38%). Major management changes and an improvement in bleeding activity were observed in 21 and 44 patients, respectively. The number and type of positive findings on CE were associated with significant management changes (p < 0.05). The number of positive findings detected by CE as well as by OT correlated with further bleeding episodes (p < 0.05). However, clinical parameters (lowest hemoglobin (Hb) value, number of blood transfusions) were also significantly associated with outcome. Diagnoses of specific diseases (tumor, Crohn, NSAID ulcer) by CE led to a favorable outcome in 64% of cases, whereas negative CE cases were associated with no further bleeding in 80%. CONCLUSION: CE helps with management decisions and can replace other more complex and risky standard tests. Nevertheless, clinical parameters are equally important for predicting further bleeding and should also be used to decide on further management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

INK4a-ARF alterations in Barrett's epithelium, intraepithelial neoplasia and Barrett's adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The INK4a-ARF [CDKN2A]- locus on chromosome 9p21 encodes for two tumour suppressor proteins, p16INK4a and p14ARF, which act as upstream regulators of the Rb-CDK4 and p53 pathways. To study the contribution of each pathway to the carcinogenesis of Barrett's adenocarcinoma, we analysed the alterations of p14ARF and p16INK4a in preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After microdissection, DNA of 15 Barrett's adenocarcinomas, 40 Barrett's intraepithelial neoplasms (n=20 low- and n=20 high-grade) and 15 Barrett's mucosa without neoplasia was analysed for INK4-ARF inactivation using DNA sequence and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, restriction-enzyme-related polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We detected 9p21 LOH, p16INK4a methylation and p16INK4a mutations in Barrett's adenocarcinomas in 5 of 15 (33%), 8 of 15 (53%) and 1 of 15 (7%) patients, respectively. P14ARF was methylated in 3 of 15 (20%) adenocarcinomas. In Barrett's intraepithelial neoplasia, p16INK4a was altered in 12 of 20 (60%) high-grade and in 4 of 20 (20%) low-grade intraepithelial neoplasms. In Barrett's mucosa without intraepithelial neoplasia p16(INK4a) was methylated in one case (7%). P14ARF was intact in Barrett's mucosa without intraepithelial neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that most Barrett's intraepithelial neoplasms contain genetic and/or epigenetic INK4a-ARF alterations. Methylation of p16INK4a appears to be the most frequent epigenetic defect in the neoplastic progression of Barrett's tumourigenesis.

Barrett Esophagus↗
PubMed2004

Mutations of BRAF and KRAS2 in the development of Barrett's adenocarcinoma.

Activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signal transduction cascade by RAS mutations has been found in a variety of human cancers. Mutations of BRAF provide an alternative route for activation of this signalling pathway. To determine the role of mutations in BRAF and KRAS2 in the neoplastic progression of Barrett's adenocarcinoma, we analysed both genes for common mutations. After microdissection, DNA of 19 Barrett's adenocarcinomas, 56 Barrett's intraepithelial neoplasias (n=29 low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) and n=27 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN)), 30 Barrett's mucosa without neoplasia and normal squamous, as well as gastric epithelium, were analysed for BRAF and KRAS2 mutation. Activating BRAF mutations were identified in 2/19 Barrett's adenocarcinomas (11%) and in 1/27 HGIN (4%). KRAS2 mutations were found in four out of 19 (21%) Barrett's adenocarcinomas examined and in three cases of HGIN (11%). In LGIN as well as in normal gastric or oesophageal mucosa, neither BRAF nor KRAS2 mutations were detected. All lesions with KRAS2 mutations had an intact BRAF gene. The status of mismatch-repair proteins was neither related to BRAF nor KRAS2 mutations. These data indicate that RAS or BRAF mutations are detected in about 32% of all Barrett's adenocarcinomas. We conclude that the disruption of the Raf/MEK/ERK (MAPK) kinase pathway is a frequent but also early event in the development of Barrett's adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Management of pre-malignant and malignant lesions by endoscopic resection.

Endoscopic resection (ER) has gained more and more importance in the treatment of early gastrointestinal neoplasia over the last few years. The choice of the different available techniques depends on the site, the macroscopic type of the tumour and the personal experience of the endoscopist. The 'suck-and-cut' technique with ligation device or cap should be favoured to normal strip biopsy in the oesophagus because of the size of the resected specimen and its technical feasibility. A recently described method of ER in the stomach is the circumferential mucosal incision with a type of needle-knife and subsequent en-bloc resection following prior injection under the lesions. ER of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and mucosal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's oesophagus should be considered as the treatment of choice. First mid-term results of endoscopic therapy of early squamous-cell neoplasia in the oesophagus show promising results; however, long-term results are awaited. Studies with large numbers of patients in Japan proved the efficiency and safety of ER in low-risk early gastric carcinoma. Duodenal lesions and adenomas of the major duodenal papilla were also proved to be treated successfully by ER. In the colon, ER is used successfully for resection of adenomas and small well-differentiated or moderately differentiated carcinomas that are restricted to the mucosa. ER of gastrointestinal lesions is a safe and effective method but should be performed only by experienced endoscopists.

Barrett Esophagus↗
PubMed2004

Endoscopic resection of superficial esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas: Western experience.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous-cell neoplasia with curative intent appears to be an alternative treatment to radical surgery when the malignant neoplasia is intraepithelial or limited to the mucosal layer, since the risk for lymph-node metastases is very low. In contrast to Japan, there has so far been only limited experience in Europe and the United States with endoscopic resection in such cases. In the present observational study, we report on the largest prospective series so far in Western countries of patients with early squamous-cell cancer or carcinoma in situ, who were treated using endoscopic resection therapy. METHODS: Between December 1997 and November 2001, 115 patients with a suspicion of early squamous cancer were referred for local endoscopic therapy. A total of 39 patients (mean age 61.4 +/- 10.2 yr) with early esophageal carcinoma (n = 29) and carcinoma in situ (Cis) (n = 10) fulfilled the criteria for local endoscopic therapy and were treated using endoscopic resection. Ten patients had Cis (group A), 19 had mucosal cancer (group B), and 10 had submucosal cancer (group C). All patients in group C were inoperable or had refused surgery. RESULTS: A total of 94 resections were performed. Nine of the 10 patients in group A (90%), 19 of the 19 in group B (100%), and 8 of the 10 in group C (80%) achieved a complete response during a mean follow-up period of 29.7 +/- 14.3 months. Tumor-related deaths occurred in three patients (one in group B, who was inoperable; two in group C, who refused surgery). No major complications such as perforation or bleeding requiring blood transfusion occurred. Minor complications were seen in six patients (15%)-three with minor bleeding after endoscopic resection and three with esophageal stenoses, who were successfully treated using injection therapy or dilatation. Calculated 5-yr survival was 90% in group A, 89% in group B, and 0% in group C. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection appears to be an effective and safe method of curative treatment in patients with Cis and mucosal squamous-cell carcinomas of the esophagus. The preferred method in patients with submucosal cancer should be esophagectomy or chemoradiotherapy, whenever possible.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2003

Endoscopic resection in neoplastic lesions of the oesophagus.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic resection has gained more and more importance in the treatment of early oesophageal neoplasia over the past few years. The choice of the different available techniques depends on the site, the macroscopic type of the tumour and the personal experience of the endoscopist. METHODS: The "suck-and-cut" technique with ligation device or cap should be favoured over normal strip biopsy in the oesophagus because of the size of the resected specimen and the technical feasibility. RESULTS: Endoscopic resection (ER) of high-grade intra-epithelial neoplasia and mucosal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's oesophagus should be considered as the treatment of choice, due to excellent long-term results. First mid-term results of endoscopic therapy of early squamous cell neoplasia in the oesophagus show promising results; however, long-term results are awaited. CONCLUSION: ER of oesophageal neoplastic lesions is a safe and effective method but should be performed only by experienced endoscopists.

Adenocarcinoma↗