The Risk Analyses of Lymph Node Metastasis and Recurrence for Submucosal Invasive Colorectal Cancer: Novel Criteria to Skip Completion Surgery.

(1) Background: Additional surgical resection after endoscopic resection (ER) is recommended for patients with submucosal invasive colorectal cancer (pT1 CRC) who have risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) (high-risk pT1 CRC). This study aimed to identify risk factors for LNM and metastatic recurrence and to determine the low-risk population for whom additional surgery can be omitted among high-risk pT1 CRCs. (2) Methods: We retrospectively identified 404 patients with pT1 CRC who underwent ER or surgery, and patients were divided into three groups: low-risk (n = 79); high-risk pT1 with ER (n = 40); and high-risk with surgery (n = 285). We also enrolled another 64 patients with high-risk pT1 CRC in an independent validation cohort. (3) Results: In the high-risk with surgery group, LNM was seen in 11.2%, and vascular and lymphatic invasions were significantly independent risk factors for LNM on multivariate analysis. No LNMs were observed in pT1 CRCs with a negative vertical margin and SM invasion depth ≤2000 µm that had no other risk factors except for budding. Five patients developed metastatic recurrence in the high-risk with surgery group, and rectal cancer and undifferentiated histology were significantly independent risk factors for poor relapse-free survival. No LNM or recurrent cases were seen in high-risk pT1 CRCs that met these criteria: differentiated adenocarcinoma, no lymphovascular invasion, colon cancer, SM invasion depth ≤2000 µm, and a negative vertical margin, which were validated in an independent validation cohort. (4) Conclusions: Completion surgery may be skipped for high-risk pT1 CRCs that meet our proposed criteria.

Internet survey on the actual situation of constipation in the Japanese population under 70 years old: focus on functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, the prevalence of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and functional constipation (FC) diagnosed by the Rome III criteria is unclear, as are the demographic profile, quality of life (QOL), and habits of persons with IBS-C or FC. METHODS: We performed an internet survey of constipation. After extracting 3000 persons fitting the composition of the general Japanese population, we investigated demographic factors, lifestyle, defecation, and laxatives. IBS-C and FC were diagnosed by Rome III criteria. Respondents also completed the Japanese IBS severity index (IBS-SI-J), Japanese IBS QOL scale (IBS-QOL-J), SF-8, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Japanese Health Practice Index (JHPI). RESULTS: There were 262 respondents with FC (8.73%) [73 men and 189 women; mean age: 49.8 ± 13.1 years; mean body mass index (BMI): 21.0 ± 3.3 g/m2] and 149 respondents with IBS-C (4.97%) (76 men and 73 women; mean age; 41.6 ± 13.7 years; mean BMI: 20.8 ± 3.0 kg/m2). Total IBS-QOL-J score were significantly lower in the IBS-C group than the FC group. With regard to SF-8, score of mental component summary (MCS) was significantly lower in the IBS-C group. The total IBS-SI-J score and item scores, except for satisfactory defecation, were significantly higher in the IBS-C group than the FC group. HADS showed a significant increase of anxiety and depression in both the groups, and the JHPI revealed insufficient sleep. CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, among the population of under 70 years old, the prevalence of IBS-C and FC (Rome III criteria) was 4.97% and 8.76%, respectively. IBS-C caused more severe symptoms than FC, resulting in impairment of QOL.

Esophageal Leiomyosarcoma Diagnosed by Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy and Cured with Surgical Resection.

Esophageal leiomyosarcomas are rare. We herein present the case of an 82-year-old patient who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed a submucosal tumor of 30 mm in diameter that was in contact with the esophagus. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed and the histopathological findings indicated esophageal leiomyosarcoma. Surgical resection was performed. On histopathological examination, the tumor was found to consist of spindle cells with deep chromatin nuclei. The tumor was finally diagnosed as esophageal leiomyosarcoma. We were able to diagnose early-stage esophageal leiomyosarcoma using endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA). EUS-FNA is mostly recommended as a diagnostic tool for esophageal submucosal tumors.

A Case of Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia Which Was Aggravated by Acid Reducer.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is known to be characterized by red patches or spots in a diffuse or linear array in the antrum of the stomach. The precise etiology of GAVE remains to be elucidated. Argon plasma laser coagulation (APC) has been used to control oozing from GAVE; however, there is no satisfactory long-term effect of APC in the control of oozing from GAVE. An acid reducer is used after APC because even physiological acid exposure might delay post-APC ulcer healing. We describe the case of a patient who had used an acid reducer and experienced repeated gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to GAVE. After ceasing to administer the acid reducer, incidences of hospitalization due to oozing from GAVE stopped. After the administration of the acid reducer was restarted, the patient had tarry stool, and diffuse oozing of blood was seen again. We report a first case of GAVE which was aggravated by acid reducer.

Persistent reflux symptoms cause anxiety, depression, and mental health and sleep disorders in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients.

Some patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease experience persistent reflux symptoms despite proton pump inhibitor therapy. These symptoms reduce their health-related quality of life. Our aims were to evaluate the relationship between proton pump inhibitor efficacy and health-related quality of life and to evaluate predictive factors affecting treatment response in Japanese patients. Using the gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire, 145 gastroesophageal reflux disease patients undergoing proton pump inhibitor therapy were evaluated and classified as responders or partial-responders. Their health-related quality of life was then evaluated using the 8-item Short Form Health Survey, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires. Sixty-nine patients (47.6%) were partial responders. These patients had significantly lower scores than responders in 5/8 subscales and in the mental health component summary of the 8-item Short Form Health Survey. Partial responders had significantly higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores, including anxiety and depression scores, than those of responders. Non-erosive reflux disease and double proton pump inhibitor doses were predictive factors of partial responders. Persistent reflux symptoms, despite proton pump inhibitor therapy, caused mental health disorders, sleep disorders, and psychological distress in Japanese gastroesophageal reflux disease patients.

Risk factors for bleeding evaluated using the Forrest classification in Japanese patients after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric neoplasm.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bleeding remains a serious complication after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Second-look endoscopy for hemostasis helps prevent post-ESD bleeding. We investigated the relationships between patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, and the Forrest classification for exposed vessels on artificial ulcers after ESD and evaluated whether hemostasis during second-look endoscopy was useful for preventing post-ESD bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 250 patients (265 lesions) who underwent ESD for gastric neoplasms. Vessels classified by Forrest classifications during scheduled second-look endoscopy were analyzed for associations with patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, and recurrent bleeding. RESULTS: Two of 250 patients (0.8%) underwent emergency hemostatic endoscopy before scheduled second-look endoscopy. The remaining 248 patients (99.2%) underwent scheduled second-look endoscopy on the day after ESD. Patients with Forrest classification Ia, Ib, or IIa vessels had a significantly higher risk for recurrent bleeding after scheduled second-look endoscopy compared with patients with IIb or III vessels according to univariate analysis (P<0.05) and multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio: 3.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-11.41; P=0.042). Univariate analysis indicated that hemodialysis correlated significantly with the presence of Ia, Ib, or IIa vessels compared with that of IIb or III vessels found during second-look endoscopy (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated a significant relationship between hemodialysis and recurrent bleeding after second-look endoscopy (odds ratio: 10.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.97-51.26; P=0.006). CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis is a risk factor for post-ESD bleeding. Proper classification of exposed vessels within post-ESD ulcers according to the Forrest classification using second-look endoscopy might help predict or prevent recurrent bleeding.

Gastric calcifying fibrous tumor removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

The World Health Organization describes calcifying fibrous tumors (CFTs) as rare, benign lesions characterized by hypocellular, densely hyalinized collagenization with lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. These tumors rarely involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A routine endoscopic upper gastrointestinal screen detected a 10-mm submucosal tumor (SMT) in the lesser curvature of the lower corpus of the stomach of an apparently healthy, 37-year-old woman with no history of Helicobacter pylori infection. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) localized the internally isoechoic, homogeneous SMT mainly within the submucosa. Malignancy was ruled out using endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). A pathological examination confirmed complete resection of the SMT, and defined a hypocellular, spindle-cell tumor with a densely hyalinized, collagenous matrix, scattered lymphoplasmacytic aggregates as well as a few psammomatous, dystrophic calcified foci. The mass was immunohistochemically positive for vimentin and negative for CD117 (c-kit protein), CD34, desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA) and S100. Therefore, the histological findings were characteristic of a CFT. To date, CFT resection by ESD has not been described. This is the first case report of a gastric calcifying fibrous tumor being completely resected by ESD after endoscopic ultrasonography.

Protein-losing enteropathy associated with collagenous colitis cured by withdrawal of a proton pump inhibitor.

A 63-year-old woman was admitted with symptoms of watery diarrhea and generalized edema lasting for five months. She had been administered 15 mg/day of lansoprazole. Laboratory findings revealed severe hypoproteinemia with normal liver, renal, thyroid and adrenal functions and no proteinuria. Colonoscopy revealed edematous mucosa, minor diminished vascular transparency and apparent longitudinal linear lacerations. The histopathological findings were compatible with a diagnosis of collagenous colitis (CC). Protein leakage from the colon was identified on (99m)Tc-human serum albumin scintigraphy. The results indicated CC associated with protein-losing enteropathy. Discontinuing lansoprazole ameliorated the watery diarrhea and generalized edema, increased the serum albumin level and improved the hypoproteinemia.