Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Malignant Esophageal Lesions

  • Esophagus (L Gerson, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Gastroenterology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The incidence of esophageal cancer has been increasing while the prognosis remains very poor. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was developed in Japan for en bloc resection of early gastric cancer with excellent results. The use of ESD in early squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the esophagus in Japan has been increasing with long-term results comparable to those in early gastric cancer. The use of ESD in Barrett’s neoplasia in western countries has been challenged by the low complete resection rates and the risk of metachronous lesions from surrounding non-dysplastic Barrett’s epithelium. Efforts to combine ESD with other treatment modalities such as radiofrequency ablation in Barrett’s neoplasia and chemoradiation in SCC appear to be promising. The use of steroid therapy (local or systemic) has been demonstrated to prevent post-ESD stenosis, which is the most common complication after esophageal ESD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

SCC:

Squamous cell carcinoma

EMR:

Endoscopic mucosal resection

ESD:

Endoscopic submucosal dissection

NCCN:

National Comprehensive Cancer Network

EGJ:

Esophago-gastric junction

CRT:

Chemoradiation therapy

ESTD:

Endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection

IPCL:

Intraepithelial papillary capillary loops

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

  1. Parkin DM, Bray F, Ferlay J, Pisani P. Global cancer statistics, 2002. CA Cancer J Clin. 2005;55(2):74–108.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Enzinger PC, Mayer RJ. Esophageal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(23):2241–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kodama M, Kakegawa T. Treatment of superficial cancer of the esophagus: a summary of responses to a questionnaire on superficial cancer of the esophagus in Japan. Surgery. 1998;123(4):432–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Fujita H, Sueyoshi S, Yamana H, Shinozaki K, Toh U, Tanaka Y, et al. Optimum treatment strategy for superficial esophageal cancer: endoscopic mucosal resection versus radical esophagectomy. World J Surg. 2001;25(4):424–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ciocirlan M, Lapalus MG, Hervieu V, Souquet JC, Napoleon B, Scoazec JY, et al. Endoscopic mucosal resection for squamous premalignant and early malignant lesions of the esophagus. Endoscopy. 2007;39(1):24–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Katada C, Muto M, Manabe T, Ohtsu A, Yoshida S. Local recurrence of squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus after EMR. Gastrointest Endosc. 2005;61(2):219–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Ishihara R, Iishi H, Takeuchi Y, Kato M, Yamamoto S, Yamamoto S, et al. Local recurrence of large squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus after endoscopic resection. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008;67(6):799–804.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Pech O, Behrens A, May A, Nachbar L, Gossner L, Rabenstein T, et al. Long-term results and risk factor analysis for recurrence after curative endoscopic therapy in 349 patients with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and mucosal adenocarcinoma in Barrett’s oesophagus. Gut. 2008;57(9):1200–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Ono H, Kondo H, Gotoda T, Shirao K, Yamaguchi H, Saito D, et al. Endoscopic mucosal resection for treatment of early gastric cancer. Gut. 2001;48(2):225–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Oka S, Tanaka S, Kaneko I, Mouri R, Hirata M, Kawamura T, et al. Advantage of endoscopic submucosal dissection compared with EMR for early gastric cancer. Gastrointest Endosc. 2006;64(6):877–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kato M, Nishida T, Tsutsui S, Komori M, Michida T, Yamamoto K, et al. Endoscopic submucosal dissection as a treatment for gastric noninvasive neoplasia: a multicenter study by Osaka University ESD Study Group. J Gastroenterol. 2011;46(3):325–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Higuchi K, Tanabe S, Azuma M, Katada C, Sasaki T, Ishido K, et al. A phase II study of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms (KDOG 0901). Gastrointest Endosc. 2013;78(5):704–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Cao Y, Liao C, Tan A, Gao Y, Mo Z, Gao F. Meta-analysis of endoscopic submucosal dissection versus endoscopic mucosal resection for tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopy. 2009;41(9):751–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Oyama T, Tomori A, Hotta K, Morita S, Kominato K, Tanaka M, et al. Endoscopic submucosal dissection of early esophageal cancer. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;3(7 Suppl 1):S67–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Fujishiro M, Yahagi N, Kakushima N, Kodashima S, Muraki Y, Ono S, et al. Endoscopic submucosal dissection of esophageal squamous cell neoplasms. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;4(6):688–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Araki K, Ohno S, Egashira A, Saeki H, Kawaguchi H, Sugimachi K. Pathologic features of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node and distal metastasis. Cancer. 2002;94(2):570–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Shimada H, Nabeya Y, Matsubara H, Okazumi S, Shiratori T, Shimizu T, et al. Prediction of lymph node status in patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma: analysis of 160 surgically resected cancers. Am J Surg. 2006;191(2):250–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Kim DU, Lee JH, Min BH, Shim SG, Chang DK, Kim YH, et al. Risk factors of lymph node metastasis in T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008;23(4):619–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Takubo K, Aida J, Sawabe M, Kurosumi M, Arima M, Fujishiro M, et al. Early squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus: the Japanese viewpoint. Histopathology. 2007;51(6):733–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Toyonaga T, Man-i M, East JE, Nishino E, Ono W, Hirooka T, et al. 1,635 Endoscopic submucosal dissection cases in the esophagus, stomach, and colorectum: complication rates and long-term outcomes. Surg Endosc. 2013;27(3):1000–8.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Gockel I, Sgourakis G, Lyros O, Polotzek U, Schimanski CC, Lang H, et al. Risk of lymph node metastasis in submucosal esophageal cancer: a review of surgically resected patients. Expet Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011;5(3):371–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Yamashina T, Ishihara R, Nagai K, Matsuura N, Matsui F, Ito T, et al. Long-term outcome and metastatic risk after endoscopic resection of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(4):544–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sanchez-Yague A, Kaltenbach T, Soetikno R. Response. Gastrointest Endosc. 2013;77(1):155.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Dunbar KB, Spechler SJ. The risk of lymph-node metastases in patients with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma in Barrett’s esophagus: a systematic review. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012;107(6):850–62. quiz 63.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Takahashi H, Arimura Y, Masao H, Okahara S, Tanuma T, Kodaira J, et al. Endoscopic submucosal dissection is superior to conventional endoscopic resection as a curative treatment for early squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (with video). Gastrointest Endosc. 2010;72(2):255–64. 64.e1-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Yamamoto S, Uedo N, Ishihara R, Kajimoto N, Ogiyama H, Fukushima Y, et al. Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer performed by supervised residents: assessment of feasibility and learning curve. Endoscopy. 2009;41(11):923–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Pohl J, Pech O, May A, Manner H, Fissler-Eckhoff A, Ell C. Incidence of macroscopically occult neoplasias in Barrett’s esophagus: are random biopsies dispensable in the era of advanced endoscopic imaging? Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(11):2350–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Yamagata T, Hirasawa D, Fujita N, Obana T, Sugawara T, Ohira T, et al. Efficacy of acetic acid-spraying method in diagnosing extension of Barrett’s cancer under the squamous epithelium. Dig Endosc. 2012;24(5):309–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Cobb MJ, Hwang JH, Upton MP, Chen Y, Oelschlager BK, Wood DE, et al. Imaging of subsquamous Barrett’s epithelium with ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography: a histologic correlation study. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010;71(2):223–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Kodashima S, Fujishiro M, Yahagi N, Kakushima N, Omata M. Endoscopic submucosal dissection using flexknife. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006;40(5):378–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Toyonaga T, Man IM, Fujita T, Nishino E, Ono W, Morita Y, et al. The performance of a novel ball-tipped Flush knife for endoscopic submucosal dissection: a case–control study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2010;32(7):908–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Inoue H, Minami H, Kaga M, Sato Y, Kudo SE. Endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal dysplasia and carcinoma. Endosc Clin N Am. 2010;20(1):25–34. v-vi.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Neuhaus H, Terheggen G, Rutz EM, Vieth M, Schumacher B. Endoscopic submucosal dissection plus radiofrequency ablation of neoplastic Barrett’s esophagus. Endoscopy. 2012;44(12):1105–13. This study was the first to show the safety and efficacy of ESD combined with RFA in Barrett’s neoplasia.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Kanzaki H, Ishihara R, Ohta T, Nagai K, Matsui F, Yamashina T, et al. Randomized study of two endo-knives for endoscopic submucosal dissection of esophageal cancer. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(8):1293–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Soetikno R, Kaltenbach T, Sanchez-Yague A, Kusano C, Gotoda T, Kono S. Resections of Difficult Barrett’s Cancer Using Universal-Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (U-ESD). Gastrointest Endosc. 2012;74(4):AB107.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Ono S, Fujishiro M, Niimi K, Goto O, Kodashima S, Yamamichi N, et al. Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasms. Gastrointest Endosc. 2009;70(5):860–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Repici A, Hassan C, Carlino A, Pagano N, Zullo A, Rando G, et al. Endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: results from a prospective Western series. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010;71(4):715–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Ishihara R, Iishi H, Uedo N, Takeuchi Y, Yamamoto S, Yamada T, et al. Comparison of EMR and endoscopic submucosal dissection for en bloc resection of early esophageal cancers in Japan. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008;68(6):1066–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Kakushima N, Yahagi N, Fujishiro M, Kodashima S, Nakamura M, Omata M. Efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for tumors of the esophagogastric junction. Endoscopy. 2006;38(2):170–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Yoshinaga S, Gotoda T, Kusano C, Oda I, Nakamura K, Takayanagi R. Clinical impact of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial adenocarcinoma located at the esophagogastric junction. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008;67(2):202–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Omae M, Fujisaki J, Horiuchi Y, Yoshizawa N, Matsuo Y, Kubota M, et al. Safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes for endoscopic submucosal dissection of early esophagogastric junction cancer. Gastric Cancer: Off J Int Gastric Cancer Assoc Japan Gastric Cancer Assoc. 2013;16(2):147–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Yamada M, Oda I, Nonaka S, Suzuki H, Yoshinaga S, Taniguchi H, et al. Long-term outcome of endoscopic resection of superficial adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. Endoscopy. 2013;45(12):992–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Hoteya S, Matsui A, Iizuka T, Kikuchi D, Yamada A, Yamashita S, et al. Comparison of the clinicopathological characteristics and results of endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophagogastric junction and non-junctional cancers. Digestion. 2013;87(1):29–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Rosch T, Sarbia M, Schumacher B, Deinert K, Frimberger E, Toermer T, et al. Attempted endoscopic en bloc resection of mucosal and submucosal tumors using insulated-tip knives: a pilot series. Endoscopy. 2004;36(9):788–801.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Farhat S, Chaussade S, Ponchon T, Coumaros D, Charachon A, Barrioz T, et al. Endoscopic submucosal dissection in a European setting, A multi-institutional report of a technique in development. Endoscopy. 2011;43(8):664–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Tamiya Y, Nakahara K, Kominato K, Serikawa O, Watanabe Y, Tateishi H, et al. Pneumomediastinum is a frequent but minor complication during esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection. Endoscopy. 2010;42(1):8–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Maeda Y, Hirasawa D, Fujita N, Obana T, Sugawara T, Ohira T, et al. A pilot study to assess mediastinal emphysema after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection with carbon dioxide insufflation. Endoscopy. 2012;44(6):565–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Nonaka K, Arai S, Ishikawa K, Nakao M, Nakai Y, Togawa O, et al. Short term results of endoscopic submucosal dissection in superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasms. World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2010;2(2):69–74.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Mizuta H, Nishimori I, Kuratani Y, Higashidani Y, Kohsaki T, Onishi S. Predictive factors for esophageal stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal cancer. Dis Esophagus. 2009;22(7):626–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Ezoe Y, Muto M, Horimatsu T, Morita S, Miyamoto S, Mochizuki S, et al. Efficacy of preventive endoscopic balloon dilation for esophageal stricture after endoscopic Resection. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011;45(3):222–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Hashimoto S, Kobayashi M, Takeuchi M, Sato Y, Narisawa R, Aoyagi Y. The efficacy of endoscopic triamcinolone injection for the prevention of esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011;74(6):1389–93. This study showed that local injection of steroids after ESD was safe and associated with a significant decrease in stenosis rate.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Takahashi H, Arimura Y, Okahara S, Uchida S, Ishigaki S, Tsukagoshi H, et al. Risk of perforation during dilation for esophageal strictures after endoscopic resection in patients with early squamous cell carcinoma. Endoscopy. 2011;43(3):184–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Yamaguchi N, Isomoto H, Nakayama T, Hayashi T, Nishiyama H, Ohnita K, et al. Usefulness of oral prednisolone in the treatment of esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011;73(6):1115–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Sato H, Inoue H, Kobayashi Y, Maselli R, Santi EG, Hayee B, et al. Control of severe strictures after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal carcinoma: oral steroid therapy with balloon dilation or balloon dilation alone. Gastrointest Endosc. 2013;78(2):250–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Ohki T, Yamato M, Murakami D, Takagi R, Yang J, Namiki H, et al. Treatment of oesophageal ulcerations using endoscopic transplantation of tissue-engineered autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets in a canine model. Gut. 2006;55(12):1704–10.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Birkmeyer JD, Siewers AE, Finlayson EV, Stukel TA, Lucas FL, Batista I, et al. Hospital volume and surgical mortality in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(15):1128–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Yamamoto S, Ishihara R, Motoori M, Kawaguchi Y, Uedo N, Takeuchi Y, et al. Comparison between definitive chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy in patients with clinical stage I esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(6):1048–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Mochizuki Y, Saito Y, Tsujikawa T, Fujiyama Y, Andoh A. Combination of endoscopic submucosal dissection and chemoradiation therapy for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with submucosal invasion. Exp Ther Med. 2011;2(6):1065–8.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. D’Journo XB, Michelet P, Dahan L, Doddoli C, Seitz JF, Giudicelli R, et al. Indications and outcome of salvage surgery for oesophageal cancer. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2008;33(6):1117–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Takeuchi M, Kobayashi M, Hashimoto S, Mizuno K, Kawaguchi G, Sasamoto R, et al. Salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with local failure after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2013;48(9):1095–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Koizumi S, Jin M, Matsuhashi T, Tawaraya S, Watanabe N, Sawaguchi M, et al. Salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection for the esophagus-localized recurrence of esophageal squamous cell cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2014;79(2):348–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Shi Q, Zhong YS, Yao LQ, Zhou PH, Xu MD, Wang P. Endoscopic submucosal dissection for treatment of esophageal submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011;74(6):1194–200.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Li QL, Yao LQ, Zhou PH, Xu MD, Chen SY, Zhong YS, et al. Submucosal tumors of the esophagogastric junction originating from the muscularis propria layer: a large study of endoscopic submucosal dissection (with video). Gastrointest Endosc. 2012;75(6):1153–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Xu MD, Cai MY, Zhou PH, Qin XY, Zhong YS, Chen WF, et al. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection: a new technique for treating upper GI submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc. 2012;75(1):195–9. This study described a new technique for resection of submucosal tumors.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Wang L, Ren W, Zhang Z, Yu J, Li Y, Song Y. Retrospective study of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) for surgical resection of esophageal leiomyoma. Surg Endosc. 2013;27(11):4259–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Bergman JJ. How to justify endoscopic submucosal dissection in the Western world. Endoscopy. 2009;41(11):988–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. van Vilsteren FG, Pouw RE, Seewald S, Alvarez Herrero L, Sondermeijer CM, Visser M, et al. Stepwise radical endoscopic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s oesophagus with high-grade dysplasia or early cancer: a multicentre randomised trial. Gut. 2011;60(6):765–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Hammad has nothing to disclose.

Dr. Kaltenbach and Dr. Soetikno report grants from Olympus America outside the submitted work.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hazem Hammad.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Esophagus

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hammad, H., Kaltenbach, T. & Soetikno, R. Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Malignant Esophageal Lesions. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 16, 386 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-014-0386-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-014-0386-0

Keywords

Navigation