Diagnostic Performance of Near-Infrared Fluorescent Marking Clips in Laparoscopic Gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate tumor localization and resection margin acquisition are essential in gastric cancer surgery. Preoperative placement of marking clips in laparoscopic gastrectomy as well as intraoperative gastroscopy can be used for gastric cancer surgery. However, these procedures are not available at all institutions. We conducted a prospective clinical trial to investigate the diagnostic performance of near-infrared fluorescent clips (ZEOCLIP FS) in laparoscopic gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with gastric cancer or neuroendocrine tumor in whom laparoscopic distal, pylorus-preserving, or proximal gastrectomy was planned were enrolled (n = 20) in this study. Fluorescent clips were placed proximal and/or distal to the tumor via gastroscopy on the day before surgery. During surgery, the clips were detected using a fluorescent laparoscope, and suturing was performed where fluorescence was detected. The clip locations were then confirmed via gastroscopy, and the stomach was transected. The primary endpoint was the detection rate of the marking clips using fluorescence, and the secondary endpoints were complications and distance between the clips and stitches. RESULTS: Among the 20 patients enrolled, distal and pylorus-preserving gastrectomies were performed in 18 and 2 patients, respectively. All clips were detected in 15 patients, indicating a detection rate of 75.0% (90% confidence interval: 54.4%-89.6%). Furthermore, no complications related to the clips were observed. The median distance between the clips and stitches was 5 (range, 0-10) mm. CONCLUSIONS: We report the feasibility and safety of preoperative placement and intraoperative detection of near-infrared fluorescent marking clips in laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Early gastric cancer with RhoGAP fusion is linked to frequent nodal metastasis and a part of microtubular-mucocellular histology.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric cancer with fusion genes involving the Rho GTPase-activating protein domain (RhoGAP-GC) is mainly included in the genomically stable type of The Cancer Genome Atlas classification. Clinical implications and histological characteristics of RhoGAP-GC in the early phase remain unclear. METHODS: We analyzed 878 consecutive pT1b GCs for RhoGAP and its partner genes using fluorescence in situ hybridization assay. RESULTS: RhoGAP fusion was detected in 57 (6.5%) GCs. Univariate analysis revealed that female sex, middle-lower third tumor location, advanced macroscopic type, tumor diameter > 2 cm, pT1b2, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, negative EBER-ISH, and RhoGAP fusion were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM). Multivariate analysis presented RhoGAP fusion, lymphatic invasion, tumor diameter > 2 cm, advanced macroscopic type, venous invasion, and middle-lower third tumor location as independent risk factors for LNM. Notably, RhoGAP fusion had the highest odds ratio (3.92) for LNM among analyzed parameters (95% CI 2.12-7.27; p < 0.001). Compared to non-RhoGAP-GCs, RhoGAP-GCs were significantly frequent in younger females and showed the highest incidence of lymphatic invasion (56.2%) and LNM (49.1%) (p < 0.001). Histologically, microtubular architecture with pseudo-trabecular interconnection and small aggregations of tumor cells with a varied amount of cytoplasmic mucin, named "microtubular-mucocellular (MTMC) histology," was found in 93.0% (53 of 57) of RhoGAP-GCs in the intramucosal area. MTMC histology showed high sensitivity and negative predictive value (93.0% and 99.4%, respectively) for RhoGAP fusion, albeit positive predictive value is low (34.9%). CONCLUSION: RhoGAP-GC is linked to a characteristic MTMC histology and a high incidence of LNM.

Long- vs short-segment Barrett's esophagus-derived adenocarcinoma: clinical features and outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma (BEA) is increasing, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been frequently performed for its treatment. However, the differences between the characteristics and ESD outcomes between short- and long-segment BEA (SSBEA and LSBEA, respectively) are unclear. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics and short- and long-term outcomes of ESD between both groups. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 155 superficial BEAs (106 SSBEAs and 49 LSBEAs) treated with ESD in 139 patients and examined their clinicopathological features and ESD outcomes. SSBEA and LSBEA were classified based on whether the maximum length of the background mucosa of BEA was < 3 cm or ≥ 3 cm, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with SSBEA, LSBEA showed significantly higher proportions of cases with the macroscopically flat type (36.7% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.001), left wall location (38.8% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001), over half of the tumor circumference (20.4% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001), and synchronous lesions (17.6% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). Compared with SSBEA, regarding ESD outcomes, LSBEA showed significantly longer resection duration (91.0 min vs. 60.5 min, p < 0.001); a lower proportion of submucosal invasion (14.3% vs. 29.2%, p = 0.047), horizontal margin negativity (79.6% vs. 94.3%, p = 0.0089), and R0 resection (69.4% vs. 86.8%, p = 0.024); and a higher proportion of post-procedural stenosis cases (10.9% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.027). The 5-year cumulative incidence of metachronous cancer in patients without additional treatment was significantly higher for LSBEA than for SSBEA (25.0% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The clinicopathological features of LSBEA and SSBEA and their treatment outcomes differed in many aspects. As LSBEAs are difficult to diagnose and treat and show a high risk of metachronous cancer development, careful ESD and follow-up or eradication of the remaining BE may be required.

Prognostic factors for patients 85 years or older undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about prognostic factors for patients 85 years or older undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to identify such prognostic factors. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the long-term outcomes and prognostic factors of 143 patients 85 years or older undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer at a single-center between October 2005 and September 2020. Using the Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox proportional hazards regression model, we examined the relationships of patient characteristics and endoscopic curability (additional gastrectomy recommended [eCuraC-2] or not recommended) with overall survival. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 86 years, and most patients were men (65%). The eCuraC-2 rate was 14.7%. During the follow-up period, 55 patients died; however, only two patients died due to gastric cancer. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 91.5% and 74.7%, respectively. Male sex (hazard ratio, 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-4.30), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status of 3 (hazard ratio, 2.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-4.99), body mass index < 18.9 kg/m2 (hazard ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-4.40), and eCuraC-2 (hazard ratio, 3.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-6.75) were identified as independent prognostic factors. Moreover, patients with eCuraC-2 had significantly more poor prognostic factors than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to perform endoscopic submucosal dissection for patients with the aforementioned prognostic factors should be carefully considered because follow-up without endoscopic submucosal dissection is possible.

Risk stratification for synchronous/metachronous recurrence after endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma using the length of Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, the standard management of Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma after endoscopic submucosal dissection involves follow-up; however, multifocal synchronous/metachronous lesions are sometimes observed after endoscopic submucosal dissection. Risk stratification of multifocal cancer facilitates appropriate treatment, including eradication of Barrett's esophagus in high-risk cases; however, no effective risk stratification methods have been established. Thus, we identified the risk factors for multifocal cancer and explored risk-stratified treatment strategies for residual Barrett's esophagus. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 97 consecutive patients with superficial Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinomas who underwent curative resection with endoscopic submucosal dissection. Multifocal cancer was defined by the presence of synchronous/metachronous lesions during follow-up. We used Cox regression analysis to identify the risk factors for multifocal cancer and subsequently analyzed differences in cumulative incidences. RESULTS: The cumulative incidences of multifocal cancer at 1, 3, and 5 years were 4.4%, 8.6%, and 10.7%, respectively. Significant risk factors for multifocal cancer were increased circumferential and maximal lengths of Barrett's esophagus. The cumulative incidences of multifocal cancer at 3 years were lower for patients with circumferential length < 4 cm and maximal length < 5 cm (2.9% and 1.2%, respectively) than for patients with circumferential length ≥ 4 cm and maximal length ≥ 5 cm (51.5% and 49.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Risk stratification of multifocal cancer using length of Barrett's esophagus was effective. Further multicenter prospective studies are needed to substantiate our findings.

Application of artificial intelligence for diagnosis of early gastric cancer based on magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging.

Although magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging is the standard diagnostic test for gastric cancer, diagnosing gastric cancer using this technology requires considerable skill. Artificial intelligence has superior image recognition, and its usefulness in endoscopic image diagnosis has been reported in many cases. The diagnostic performance (accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity) of artificial intelligence using magnifying endoscopy with narrow band still images and videos for gastric cancer was higher than that of expert endoscopists, suggesting the usefulness of artificial intelligence in diagnosing gastric cancer. Histological diagnosis of gastric cancer using artificial intelligence is also promising. However, previous studies on the use of artificial intelligence to diagnose gastric cancer were small-scale; thus, large-scale studies are necessary to examine whether a high diagnostic performance can be achieved. In addition, the diagnosis of gastric cancer using artificial intelligence has not yet become widespread in clinical practice, and further research is necessary. Therefore, in the future, artificial intelligence must be further developed as an instrument, and its diagnostic performance is expected to improve with the accumulation of numerous cases nationwide.

Multicenter study of invasive gastric cancer detected after 10 years of Helicobacter pylori eradication in Japan: Clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic characteristics.

Objectives: Gastric cancer can be diagnosed even in patients long after Helicobacter pylori eradication. Most cases involve intramucosal lesions; however, some are invasive and require surgery. To clarify appropriate long-term surveillance methods, this study compared invasive gastric cancer diagnosed ≥10 and <10 years after eradication. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 14 institutions. We included 377 patients with gastric cancer with submucosal or deep invasion after surgical or endoscopic resection. Ordered logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors contributing to the pathological stage and histological type. Results: Invasive gastric cancer was detected in 84 patients (Group L) and 293 patients (Group S) ≥10 and <10 years after H. pylori eradication, respectively. Endoscopic mucosal atrophy at the time of cancer detection was similar in both groups; 50% of the patients had severe atrophy. Annual endoscopy correlated with early pathological stage (odds ratio [OR] 0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-0.54, p < 0.001). Group L exhibited an independent correlation with the advanced pathological stage (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.06-4.88, p = 0.035) and the undifferentiated type (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.16-3.90, p = 0.015). The pure differentiated type and early pathological stage significantly (p = 0.001) correlated with severe mucosal atrophy in Group S but not in Group L. Conclusions: Invasive cancers diagnosed ≥10 years after H. pylori eradication were likely to be more malignant in histological type and pathological stage. Gastric cancer surveillance should continue regardless of endoscopic atrophy, particularly ≥10 years after eradication.