Low-power pure-cut hot snare polypectomy for colorectal polyps 10-14 mm in size: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hot snare excision using electrocautery is widely used for large colorectal polyps (>10 mm); however, adverse events occur due to deep thermal injury. Colorectal polyps measuring 10-14 mm rarely include invasive cancer. Therefore, less invasive therapeutic options for this size category are demanding. We have developed hot snare polypectomy with low-power pure-cut current (LPPC HSP), which is expected to contribute to less deep thermal damage and lower risk of adverse events. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LPPC HSP for 10-14 mm colorectal polyps, compared with conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). METHODS: In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study, clinical outcomes of EMR and LPPC HSP for 10-14 mm nonpedunculated colorectal polyps between January 2021 and March 2022 were compared using propensity score matching. RESULTS: We identified 203 EMR and 208 LPPC HSP cases. After propensity score matching, the baseline characteristics between the groups were comparable, with 120 pairs. The en bloc and R0 resection rates were not significantly different between EMR and LPPC HSP groups (95.8% vs 97.5%, P = 0.72; 90.0% vs 91.7%, P = 0.82). The rates of delayed bleeding and perforation did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional EMR, LPPC HSP showed a similar resection ability without an increase in adverse events. These results suggest that LPPC HSP is a safe and effective treatment for 10-14 mm nonpedunculated colorectal polyps.

Endoscopic hand suturing using a modified through-the-scope needle holder for mucosal closure after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: Prospective multicenter study (with video).

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic hand suturing (EHS) is a novel technique for closing a mucosal defect after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We investigated the technical feasibility of colorectal EHS using a modified flexible through-the-scope needle holder. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter study conducted at two referral centers between June 2022 and April 2023. This study included colorectal neoplasms 20-50 mm in size located in the sigmoid colon or rectum. A modified flexible through-the-scope needle holder, with an increased jaw width to facilitate needle grasping, was used for colorectal EHS. The primary end-points were sustained closure rate on second-look endoscopy (SLE) performed on postoperative days 3-4 and suturing time for colorectal EHS. Secondary end-points included complete closure rate and delayed adverse events. RESULTS: We enrolled 20 colorectal neoplasms in 20 patients, including four patients receiving antithrombotic agents. The tumor location was as follows: lower rectum (n = 8), upper rectum (n = 2), rectosigmoid colon (n = 4), and sigmoid colon (n = 6), and the median mucosal defect size was 37 mm (range, 21-65 mm). The complete closure rate was 90% (18/20 [95% confidence interval (CI) 68.3-98.8%]), and the median suturing time was 49 min (range, 23-92 min [95% CI 35-68 min]). Sustained closure rate on SLE was 85% (17/20 [95% CI 62.1-96.8%]). No delayed adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: EHS demonstrated a high sustained closure rate. Given the long suturing time and technical difficulty, EHS should be reserved for cases with a high risk of delayed adverse events.

Protocol for a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) observation in the detection of colorectal lesions (deTXIon study).

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for detecting and resecting adenomas or early stage cancers to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer. In a recent observational study, texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) was reported to improve polyp detection during colonoscopy. This randomized controlled trial involving six Japanese institutions aims to confirm the superiority of TXI over standard white-light imaging (WLI) in detecting colorectal lesions during colonoscopy. During the 1-year study period, 960 patients will be enrolled, with 480 patients in the TXI and WLI groups. The primary endpoint is the mean number of adenomas detected per procedure. The secondary endpoints include adenoma detection rate, advanced adenoma detection rate, polyp detection rate, flat polyp detection rate, depressed lesion detection rate, mean polyps detected per procedure, sessile serrated lesion (SSL) detection rate, mean SSLs detected per procedure and adverse events.

Clinical outcomes and learning curve of Tip-in endoscopic mucosal resection for 15-25 mm colorectal neoplasms among non-experts.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Tip-in endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has a high en bloc resection rate for large colorectal neoplasms. However, non-experts' performance in Tip-in EMR has not been investigated. We investigated whether Tip-in EMR can be achieved effectively and safely even by non-experts. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent Tip-in EMR for 15-25 mm colorectal nonpedunculated neoplasms at a Japanese tertiary cancer center between January 2014 and December 2020. Baseline characteristics, treatment outcomes, learning curve of non-experts, and risk factors of failing self-achieved en bloc resection were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 597 lesions were analyzed (438 by experts and 159 by non-experts). The self-achieved en bloc resection (69.8% vs 88.6%, P < 0.001) and self-achieved R0 resection (58.3% vs 76.5%, P < 0.001) rates were significantly lower in non-experts with <10 cases of experience than in experts, but not in non-experts with >10 cases. Adverse event (P = 0.165) and local recurrence (P = 0.892) rates were not significantly different between experts and non-experts. Risk factors of failing self-achieved en bloc resection were non-polypoid morphology (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.6-7.3, P = 0.001), lesions with an underlying semilunar fold (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6-7.3, P < 0.001), positive non-lifting sign (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2-8.0, P = 0.023), and non-experts with an experience of ≤10 cases (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.1-6.3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of Tip-in EMR for 15-25 mm lesions performed by non-experts were favorable.

Impact of a new dedicated sheath device for tissue sampling of biliary stricture on pathological diagnostic yield: Retrospective study.

Background and study aims Endoscopic transpapillary biliary forceps biopsy (TBFB) is a common method for obtaining specimens from biliary lesions. Its diagnostic yield is unsatisfactory; to overcome this disadvantage, a dedicated sheath has been developed. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of conventional TBFB and TBFB with a novel sheath device. Patients and methods Consecutive patients who underwent TBFB between January 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. The rate of obtaining adequate samples, failed attempts at forceps insertion into the bile duct, and sensitivity were compared between the two groups. Results Ninety-two patients who underwent 115 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (76 in the conventional group vs. 39 in the dedicated sheath group) were included. The rates of obtaining adequate samples, failed attempts of the forceps into the bile duct, and sensitivity were 72.4% vs. 89.7% ( P = 0.03), 28.3% vs. 0% ( P < 0.01), and 66.7% vs. 88.9% ( P = 0.02), respectively. Conclusions TBFB with the novel sheath device contributed to improved sensitivity for diagnosis of biliary stricture without insertion of forceps outside the bile duct.

Proportions and characteristics of interval cancer in annual fecal immunochemical test screening and postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer: Results from a Japanese multicenter prospective study using questionnaires, the C-DETECT study.

OBJECTIVES: There are several types of colorectal cancer (CRC) according to the detection methods and intervals, including interval CRC (iCRC) and postcolonoscopy CRC (PCCRC). We aimed to examine their proportions and characteristics. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter prospective study using questionnaires in Japan ("C-DETECT study"), in which differences in CRC characteristics according to detection methods and intervals were examined from consecutive adult patients. Because the annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT) was used in population-based screening, the annual FIT-iCRC was assessed. RESULTS: In total, 1241 CRC patients (1064 with invasive CRC) were included. Annual FIT-iCRC (a), 3-year PCCRC (b), and CRC detected within 1 year after a positive FIT with noncompliance to colonoscopy (c) accounted for 4.5%, 7.0%, and 3.9% of all CRCs, respectively, and for 3.9%, 5.4%, and 4.3% of invasive CRCs, respectively. The comparison among these (a, b, c) and other CRCs (d) demonstrated differences in the proportions of ≥T2 invasion ([a] 58.9%, [b] 44.8%, [c] 87.5%, [d] 73.0%), metastasis ([a] 33.9%, [b] 21.8%, [c] 54.2%, [d] 43.9%), right-sided CRC ([a] 42.9%, [b] 40.2%, [c] 18.8%, [d] 28.6%), and female sex ([a] 53.6%, [b] 49.4%, [c] 27.1%, [d] 41.6%). In metastatic CRC, (a) and (b) showed a higher proportions of BRAF mutations ([a] [b] 12.0%, [c] [d] 3.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Annual FIT-iCRC and 3-year PCCRC existed in nonnegligible proportions. They were characterized by higher proportions of right-sided tumors, female sex, and BRAF mutations. These findings suggest that annual FIT-iCRC and 3-year PCCRC may have biological features different from those of other CRCs.

Outcomes of Metastatic and Unresectable Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma in Japan According to the Treatment Strategy: A Nationwide Observational Study.

PURPOSE: Limited information is available regarding the characteristics and outcomes of stage IV small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) in Japan. This study examined the clinical and pathological characteristics and outcomes according to the treatment strategies in patients with stage IV SBA. METHODS: This retrospective observational study used the data of patients with jejunal or ileal adenocarcinoma collected by the Small Bowel Malignant Tumor Project of the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum. Descriptive statistics were expressed as the mean (standard deviation) or median (range). Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and pairwise log-rank tests. RESULTS: Data from 128 patients were analyzed. The treatment strategies were chemotherapy alone (26 of 128, 20.3%), surgery alone (including palliative surgery; 21 of 128, 16.4%), surgery + chemotherapy (74 of 128, 57.8%), and best supportive care (7 of 128, 5.5%). The median (range) overall survival was 16 (0-125) months overall, and 11 (1-38) months, 8 (0-80) months, 18 (0-125) months, and 0 (0-1) months for the chemotherapy, surgery, surgery + chemotherapy, and best supportive care groups, respectively. Three main categories of chemotherapeutic regimen were used: a combination of fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin (F + Ox), fluoropyrimidine and irinotecan (F + Iri), and single-agent fluoropyrimidine. Among patients treated with chemotherapy, the median (range) OS was 16 (1-106) months overall, and 17 (1-87) months, 29 (7-39) months, and 16 (1-106) months in patients treated with fluoropyrimidine, F + Iri, and F + Ox, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or both had a better prognosis than those who received best supportive care. Among patients who received chemotherapy, survival did not differ according to the chemotherapeutic regimen.

Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of elobixibat plus sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate and split-dose 2-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid for bowel preparation before outpatient colonoscopy: a study protocol for the multicentre, randomised, controlled E-PLUS trial.

BACKGROUND: Sodium picosulfate (SP)/magnesium citrate (MC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) plus ascorbic acid are recommended by Western guidelines as laxative solutions for bowel preparation. Clinically, SP/MC has a slower post-dose defaecation response than PEG and is perceived as less cleansing; therefore, it is not currently used for major bowel cancer screening preparation. The standard formulation for bowel preparation is PEG; however, a large dose is required, and it has a distinctive flavour that is considered unpleasant. SP/MC requires a small dose and ensures fluid intake because it is administered in another beverage. Therefore, clinical trials have shown that SP/MC is superior to PEG in terms of acceptability. We aim to compare the novel bowel cleansing method (test group) comprising SP/MC with elobixibat hydrate and the standard bowel cleansing method comprising PEG plus ascorbic acid (standard group) for patients preparing for outpatient colonoscopy. METHODS: This phase III, multicentre, single-blind, noninferiority, randomised, controlled, trial has not yet been completed. Patients aged 40-69 years will be included as participants. Patients with a history of abdominal or pelvic surgery, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, or severe organ dysfunction will be excluded. The target number of research participants is 540 (standard group, 270 cases; test group, 270 cases). The primary endpoint is the degree of bowel cleansing (Boston Bowel Preparation Scale [BBPS] score ≥ 6). The secondary endpoints are patient acceptability, adverse events, polyp/adenoma detection rate, number of polyps/adenomas detected, degree of bowel cleansing according to the BBPS (BBPS score ≥ 8), degree of bowel cleansing according to the Aronchik scale, and bowel cleansing time. DISCUSSION: This trial aims to develop a "patient-first" colon cleansing regimen without the risk of inadequate bowel preparation by using both elobixibat hydrate and SP/MC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT; no. s041210067; 9 September 2021; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/ ), protocol version 1.5 (May 1, 2023).

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of primary small bowel adenocarcinoma: a large multicenter analysis of the JSCCR database in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The clinicopathological features and prognosis of primary small bowel adenocarcinoma (PSBA), excluding duodenal cancer, remain undetermined due to its rarity in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed 354 patients with 358 PSBAs, between January 2008 and December 2017, at 44 institutions affiliated with the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum. RESULTS: The median age was 67 years (218 males, 61.6%). The average tumor size was 49.9 (7-100) mm. PSBA sites consisted of jejunum (66.2%) and ileum (30.4%). A total of 219 patients (61.9%) underwent diagnostic small bowel endoscopy, including single-balloon endoscopy, double-balloon endoscopy, and capsule endoscopy before treatment. Nineteen patients (5.4%) had Lynch syndrome, and 272 patients (76.8%) had symptoms at the initial diagnosis. The rates for stages 0, I, II, III, and IV were 5.4%, 2.5%, 27.1%, 26.0%, and 35.6%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rates at each stage were 92.3%, 60.0%, 75.9%, 61.4%, and 25.5%, respectively, and the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 100%, 75.0%, 84.1%, 59.3%, and 25.6%, respectively. Patients with the PSBA located in the jejunum, with symptoms at the initial diagnosis or advanced clinical stage had a worse prognosis. However, multivariate analysis using Cox-hazard model revealed that clinical stage was the only significant predictor of DSS for patients with PSBA. CONCLUSIONS: Of the patients with PSBA, 76.8% had symptoms at the initial diagnosis, which were often detected at an advanced stage. Detection during the early stages of PSBA is important to ensure a good prognosis.

Evaluating false-positive detection in a computer-aided detection system for colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Computer-aided detection (CADe) systems can efficiently detect polyps during colonoscopy. However, false-positive (FP) activation is a major limitation of CADe. We aimed to compare the rate and causes of FP using CADe before and after an update designed to reduce FP. METHODS: We analyzed CADe-assisted colonoscopy videos recorded between July 2022 and October 2022. The number and causes of FPs and excessive time spent by the endoscopist on FP (ET) were compared pre- and post-update using 1:1 propensity score matching. RESULTS: During the study period, 191 colonoscopy videos (94 and 97 in the pre- and post-update groups, respectively) were recorded. Propensity score matching resulted in 146 videos (73 in each group). The mean number of FPs and median ET per colonoscopy were significantly lower in the post-update group than those in the pre-update group (4.2 ± 3.7 vs 18.1 ± 11.1; P < 0.001 and 0 vs 16 s; P < 0.001, respectively). Mucosal tags, bubbles, and folds had the strongest association with decreased FP post-update (pre-update vs post-update: 4.3 ± 3.6 vs 0.4 ± 0.8, 0.32 ± 0.70 vs 0.04 ± 0.20, and 8.6 ± 6.7 vs 1.6 ± 1.7, respectively). There was no significant decrease in the true positive rate (post-update vs pre-update: 95.0% vs 99.2%; P = 0.09) or the adenoma detection rate (post-update vs pre-update: 52.1% vs 49.3%; P = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: The updated CADe can reduce FP without impairing polyp detection. A reduction in FP may help relieve the burden on endoscopists.

How Does Omitting Additional Surgery After Local Excision Affect the Prognostic Outcome of Patients With High-risk T1 Colorectal Cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how omitting additional surgery after local excision (LE) affects patient outcomes in high-risk T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). BACKGROUND: It is debatable whether additional surgery should be performed for all patients with high-risk T1 CRC regardless of the tolerability of invasive procedures. METHODS: Patients who had received LE for T1 CRC at the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum institutions between 2009 and 2016 were analyzed. Those who had received additional surgical resection and those who did not were matched one-on-one by the propensity score-matching method. A total of 401 propensity score-matched pairs were extracted from 1975 patients at 27 Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum institutions and were compared. RESULTS: Regional lymph node metastasis was observed in 31 (7.7%) patients in the LE + surgery group. Comparatively, the incidence of oncologic adverse events was low in the LE-alone group, such as the 5-year cumulative risk of local recurrence (4.1%) or overall recurrence (5.5%). In addition, the difference in the 5-year cancer-specific survival between the LE + surgery and LE-alone groups was only 1.8% (99.7% and 97.9%, respectively), whereas the 5-year overall survival was significantly lower in the LE-alone group than in the LE + surgery group [88.5% vs 94.5%, respectively ( P = 0.002)]. CONCLUSIONS: Those who had decided to omit additional surgery at the dedicated center for CRC treatment presented a small number of oncologic events and a satisfactory cancer-specific survival, which may suggest an important role of risk assessment regarding nononcologic adverse events to achieve a best practice for each individual with high-risk T1 tumors.

Endoscopic Removal of Premalignant Lesions Reduces Long-Term Colorectal Cancer Risk: Results From the Japan Polyp Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To date, no regional evidence of long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) risk reduction after endoscopic premalignant lesion removal has been established. We aimed to analyze this over a long-term follow-up evaluation. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of participants from the Japan Polyp Study conducted at 11 Japanese institutions. Participants underwent scheduled follow-up colonoscopies after a 2-round baseline colonoscopy process. The primary outcome was CRC incidence after randomization. The observed/expected ratio of CRC was calculated using data from the population-based Osaka Cancer Registry. Secondary outcomes were the incidence and characteristics of advanced neoplasia (AN). RESULTS: A total of 1895 participants were analyzed. The mean number of follow-up colonoscopies and the median follow-up period were 2.8 years (range, 1-15 y) and 6.1 years (range, 0.8-11.9 y; 11,559.5 person-years), respectively. Overall, 4 patients (all males) developed CRCs during the study period. The observed/expected ratios for CRC in all participants, males, and females, were as follows: 0.14 (86% reduction), 0.18, and 0, respectively, and 77 ANs were detected in 71 patients (6.1 per 1000 person-years). Of the 77 ANs detected, 31 lesions (40.3%) were laterally spreading tumors, nongranular type. Nonpolypoid colorectal neoplasms (NP-CRNs), including flat (<10 mm), depressed, and laterally spreading, accounted for 59.7% of all detected ANs. Furthermore, 2 of the 4 CRCs corresponded to T1 NP-CRNs. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic removal of premalignant lesions, including NP-CRNs, effectively reduced CRC risk. More than half of metachronous ANs removed by surveillance colonoscopy were NP-CRNs. The Japan Polyp Study: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry, C000000058; cohort study: UMIN000040731.

A novel low-power pure-cut hot snare polypectomy for 10-14 mm colorectal adenomas: An ex vivo and a clinical prospective feasibility study (SHARP trial).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hot snare polypectomy using blend or coagulation current is widely used; however, it causes deeper tissue heat injury, leading to adverse events. We hypothesized that hot polypectomy using low-power pure cut current (PureCut, effect 1 10 W) could reduce deeper tissue heat injury. We conducted animal experiments to evaluate the deeper tissue heat injury and conducted a prospective clinical study to examine its cutting ability. METHODS: In a porcine rectum, hot polypectomy using Blend current (EndoCut, effect 3 40 W) and low-power pure cut current was performed. The deepest part of heat destruction and thickness of the non-burned submucosal layer were evaluated histologically. Based on the results, we performed low-power pure cut current hot polypectomy for 10-14 mm adenoma. The primary endpoint was complete resection defined as one-piece resection with negative for adenoma in quadrant biopsies from the defect margin. RESULTS: In experiments, all low-power pure-cut resections were limited within the submucosal layer whereas blend current resections coagulated the muscular layer in 13% (3/23). The remaining submucosal layer was thicker in low-power pure cut current than in blend current resections. In the clinical study, low-power pure-cut hot polypectomy removed all 100 enrolled polyps. For 98 pathologically neoplastic polyps, complete resection was achieved in 84 (85.7%, 95% confidence interval, 77-92%). The lower limit of the 95% confidence interval was not more than 15% below the pre-defined threshold of 86.6%. No severe adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: A novel low-power pure-cut hot polypectomy may be feasible for adenoma measuring 10-14 mm. (UMIN000037678).

Short-term and long-term outcomes of submucosal dissection for residual or recurrent colorectal tumors after endoscopic resection: Analysis of a multicenter prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: We previously demonstrated that a favorable long-term prognosis indicated that endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) could be the standard treatment for large colorectal epithelial neoplasms, but the usefulness of ESD for local residual or recurrent tumors with submucosal fibrosis has not been fully demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of ESD for local residual or recurrent colorectal tumors. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide multicenter prospective study to evaluate the outcomes of ESD for colorectal tumors. In this post hoc analysis, a total of 54 local residual or recurrent colorectal tumors in 54 patients were included, and we analyzed the short-term and long-term outcomes of ESD for these lesions. RESULTS: The median size of the lesions was 16.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 11-25) mm. ESD was completed in 53 cases (98.1%) with a median procedure time of 65.0 min, but it was discontinued in one case because of submucosal cancer invasion. En bloc resection was achieved in 52 cases (96.3%), whereas R0 resection was achieved in 45 cases (83.3%). Intraoperative perforation was observed in four cases (7.4%) and delayed perforation in one (1.9%), but all cases could be managed conservatively. Delayed bleeding was not observed. There were no significant differences in short-term outcomes between the rectal and colonic lesions. There was no recurrence of the tumor during the median follow-up period of 60 (IQR 50-64) months. CONCLUSION: An analysis of our multicenter prospective study suggests that ESD is an effective salvage management for local residual or recurrent colorectal lesions.

Short-term outcomes of endoscopic resection for colorectal neuroendocrine tumors: Japanese multicenter prospective C-NET STUDY.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of colorectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has increased with colorectal cancer screening programs and increased colonoscopies. The management of colorectal NETs has recently shifted from radical surgery to endoscopic resection. We aimed to evaluate the short-term outcomes of various methods of endoscopic resection for colorectal NETs. METHODS: Among those registered in the C-NET STUDY, patients with colorectal NETs who underwent endoscopic treatment as the initial therapy were included. Short-term outcomes, such as the en bloc resection rate and R0 resection (en bloc resection with tumor-free margin) rate, were analyzed based on treatment modalities. RESULTS: A total of 472 patients with 477 colorectal NETs received endoscopic treatment. Of these, 418 patients with 421 lesions who met the eligibility criteria were included in the analysis. The median age of the patients was 55 years, and 56.9% of them were men. The lower rectum was the most commonly affected site (88.6%), and lesions <10 mm accounted for 87% of the cases. Endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR-L, 56.5%) was the most common method, followed by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD, 31.4%) and endoscopic mucosal resection using a cap (EMR-C, 8.5%). R0 resection rates <10 mm were 95.5%, 94.8%, and 94.3% for ESMR-L, ESD, and EMR-C, respectively. All 16 (3.8%) patients who developed treatment-related complications could be treated conservatively. Overall, 23 (5.5%) patients had incomplete resection without independent clinicopathological risk factors. CONCLUSION: ESMR-L, ESD, and EMR-C were equally effective and safe for colorectal NETs with a diameter <10 mm.

Comprehensive Analysis of Early-onset Colorectal Cancer: A Review.

Early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC), which refers to CRC diagnosed in individuals below the age of 50 years, is a growing health concern that presents unique challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes. Although approximately 70% of early-onset CRC cases are sporadic, with no apparent family history, approximately 25% have a familial component, and up to 20% may be associated with germline mutations, indicating a higher prevalence compared with the general population. Despite the progress in identifying the environmental, molecular, and genetic risk factors of early-onset CRC, the underlying causes for the global increase in its incidence remain unclear. This comprehensive review aims to provide a thorough analysis of early-onset CRC by examining the trends associated with its incidence, clinical and pathological characteristics, risk factors, molecular and genetic profiles, prognosis and screening strategies. By deepening our understanding of early-onset CRC, significant advances related to improving the outcomes and alleviating the burden of this disease on individuals, families, and healthcare systems can be achieved.

Desmin immunostaining is effective for improving interobserver variability in the depth assessment of the submucosal invasion of colorectal cancers.

Tumor depth evaluation is essential for pathological tumor staging because it affects clinical management as an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancers. However, poor interobserver variability of invasion depth has been reported. This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of desmin immunostaining in the histological diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Overall, 63 sets of slides of colorectal cancer stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and desmin were prepared and independently reviewed by four examiners. After reviewing the desmin-stained slides, the interobserver variability of H&E slides alone was significantly improved for all examiners. For the assessment of Tis vs. T1, the sensitivity and accuracy were significantly improved for all examiners by combining H&E and desmin immunostaining. For the diagnosis of T1b vs. Tis or T1a, specificity and accuracy were significantly improved by adding desmin immunostaining. Ancillary desmin staining to assess submucosal invasion in colorectal cancers significantly improved interobserver agreement, led to efficient screening of T1 cancers, and reduced excessive T1b diagnoses. The combination of desmin immunostaining and H&E staining is highly recommended for diagnosing invasive colorectal cancer.