Factors associated with the presence of multiple Lugol-voiding lesions in patients with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma.

Multicentric squamous dysplasia of the esophagus is characterized by multiple Lugol-voiding lesions (LVLs) on Lugol chromoendoscopy. Multiple LVLs are associated with a very high risk of multiple cancers arising in the esophagus as well as the head and neck. To gain insight into the pathogenesis of multiple LVLs of the esophageal mucosa, we studied risk factors for the development of such lesions in 76 patients who had a current or previous diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. All patients underwent Lugol chromoendoscopy of the esophageal mucosa. The history of tobacco and alcohol use was documented. Polymorphisms of the aldehyde dehydrogenase type 2 (ALDH2) gene were identified by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers. Clinical factors related to multiple LVLs were analyzed. All patients with multiple LVLs were drinkers. On univariate analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR] 15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.84-122.45: P = 0.011), presence of the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.55-13.24: P = 0.006), and smoking index ≥1000 (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.02-6.6: P = 0.045) were associated with multiple LVLs. On multivariate analysis, male sex (OR 10.02, 95% CI 1.13-88.44: P = 0.038) and presence of the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 4.56, 95% CI 1.4-14.82: P = 0.012) were associated with multiple LVLs. Among drinkers, a daily alcohol intake of ≥100 g pure ethanol with the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 17.5, 95% CI 1.97-155.59: P = 0.01) and a daily alcohol intake of <100 g pure ethanol with the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 8.85, 95% CI 1.68-46.69: P = 0.01) more strongly correlated with multiple LVLs than did a daily alcohol intake of <100 g pure ethanol without the ALDH2-2 allele, whereas a daily alcohol intake of ≥100 g pure ethanol without the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 4.0, 95% CI 0.54-29.81: P = 0.18) did not. In conclusion, male sex and the ALDH2-2 allele are associated with an increased risk for multiple LVLs of the esophageal mucosa in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Among drinkers with the ALDH2-2 allele, the risk of multiple LVLs increased in parallel to the daily alcohol intake.

Propofol sedation with bispectral index monitoring is useful for endoscopic submucosal dissection: a randomized prospective phase II clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a standard treatment. However, the treatment time tends to be relatively long and insufflation and manipulation of the endoscope can increase pain and discomfort. We aimed to find an optimal method for sedation during ESD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo ESD for early gastric cancer or adenoma were randomly assigned to sedation with midazolam or propofol, and consciousness level was evaluated by bispectral index (BIS) monitoring. Primary end points of effectiveness (three parameters) and secondary end points of safety during ESD and after return to the ward were compared between the groups. Study registration was in the UMIN Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN 000001497), and the institutional trial number was KDOG 0801. RESULTS: From June 2008 through June 2009, we enrolled 178 patients (90 midazolam, 88 propofol). Regarding safety after ESD, recovery was significantly better in the propofol group immediately after and at 1 hour and 2 hours after return to the ward (P < 0.001). The number of patients who required a continuous supply of oxygen 2 hours after returning to the ward was significantly lower in the propofol group (midazolam 18; propofol 6; P = 0.010). Though propofol seemed to be better for effectiveness and safety, there were no statistically significant differences for all three primary end points and the safety parameters (hypotension, hypoxia, bradycardia). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol with BIS monitoring improved recovery of patients after ESD, though this study was underpowered to prove the effectiveness and safety of propofol.

Quadruple therapy with ecabet sodium, omeprazole, amoxicillin and metronidazole is effective for eradication of Helicobacter pylori after failure of first-line therapy (KDOG0201 Study).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECT: An antiulcer agent, ecabet sodium, is active against Helicobacter pylori. The aim of the present study was to clinically examine whether eradication therapy, which includes ecabet sodium, is effective in eradication of H. pylori after failure of first-line therapy. METHODS: Patients with peptic ulcer who failed with first-line triple eradication therapy containing clarithromycin received quadruple therapy with omeprazole (20 mg, twice daily), amoxicillin (750 mg, twice daily), metronidazole (500 mg, twice daily) and ecabet sodium (1000 mg, twice daily) for 14 days. Eradication of H. pylori was judged by 13C-urea breath test 8 weeks later. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (36 men and 16 women) were included. Their mean age was 51.4 years (range 28-73). One patient dropped out because of diarrhoea. The eradication rate was 98.0% (50/51) according to the per-protocol analysis and 96.2% (50/52) according to the intention-to-treat analysis. Side effects occurred in seven patients, but none were serious. CONCLUSIONS: Quadruple therapy including ecabet sodium is useful as second-line eradication treatment for H. pylori.

Narrow band imaging for detecting superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Narrow band imaging combined with magnifying endoscopy (NBI-ME) is useful for the detection of superficial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) within the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and oral cavity. The risk of a second primary SCC of the head and neck is very high in patients with esophageal SCC. This prospective study evaluated the detection rate of superficial SCC within the head and neck region (superficial SCCHN) with NBI-ME in patients with esophageal SCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2006 and February 2008, 112 patients with a current or previous diagnosis of esophageal SCC were enrolled. All patients underwent endoscopic screening of the head and neck by NBI-ME. The primary end point was the detection rate for superficial SCCHN. Secondary end points were to compare demographic characteristics between patients with and without superficial SCCHN and to assess the clinical course of patients with superficial SCCHN. RESULTS: The detection rate for superficial SCCHN was 13 % (15/112). The prevalence of multiple Lugol-voiding lesions, observed endoscopically throughout the esophageal mucosa after application of Lugol dye solution, was significantly higher in patients with superficial SCCHN than in those without (100 % vs. 24 %, P < 0.0001). Minimally invasive curative treatment with organ preservation was feasible without severe complications in patients with superficial SCCHN after curative treatment of esophageal SCC. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with esophageal SCC, NBI-ME is useful for detecting superficial SCCHN, thereby facilitating minimally invasive treatment.

Clinical outcome after endoscopic mucosal resection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invading the muscularis mucosae--a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is now commonly indicated for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) within the lamina propria mucosa. However, EMR for ESCC that has invaded the muscularis mucosa is controversial because the risk of lymph node metastasis is not negligible. We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study to investigate the incidence of lymph node metastasis and survival after EMR for ESCC invading the muscularis mucosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 104 patients with 111 lesions invading the muscularis mucosa, were retrospectively studied at eight institutes. No patients exhibited evidence of metastasis of lymph nodes or distant organs prior to EMR. Overall and cause-specific survival rates were calculated from the date of EMR to the date of death or the most recent follow-up visit. Survival curves were plotted according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In total, 86 patients (82.7%) who did not receive further treatment such as chemotherapy, irradiation therapy, chemoradiotherapy, or esophagectomy after EMR were followed up. Only two patients (1.9%) developed lymph node metastasis after EMR. With a median follow-up period of 43 months (range, 8-134 months), overall and cause-specific survival rates at 5 years after EMR were 79.5% and 95.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EMR for ESCC that invades the muscularis mucosa has curative potential as a minimally invasive treatment option.

Successful treatment of S-1 + CDDP followed by salvage EMR for a case with metastatic Barrett's esophageal cancer.

A 62-year-old woman with Barrett's esophageal cancer was hospitalized. Abdominal CT confirmed metastases to the liver and lymph nodes, for which surgical excision and radiotherapy were not indicated. We started chemotherapy with a course of daily oral S-1 at a dose of 80 mg/m(2) for 21 days, with a 2-hour drip of cisplatin at 60 mg/m(2) on day 8. Breaks of 14 drug-free days were given between courses. After two courses, a repeat CT confirmed that the liver and lymph node metastases had disappeared; after three courses, another CT confirmed that the metastatic foci were still absent, so we judged the disease to be in complete remission. Endoscopy and upper GI series confirmed that the primary tumor was reduced, and endoscopic mucosal resection performed using the strip biopsy method. The excision specimen was well differentiated adenocarcinoma, and mucosal invasion, and the excision stump was negative. After two more courses of S-1 + cisplatin, chemotherapy has been suspended with the patient's consent, and in the 21 months after endoscopic mucosal resection, no recurrence has been observed. This is a rare case of metastatic Barrett's esophageal cancer in which the metastases were eradicated by S-1 + cisplatin, and the primary tumor successfully excised by endoscopic mucosal resection after downstaging.