Retrospective Study Open Access
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2019. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 14, 2019; 25(6): 707-718
Published online Feb 14, 2019. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i6.707
Short- and long-term outcomes of endoscopically treated superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors
Yuko Hara, Akira Dobashi, Tomohiko Richard Ohya, Kazuki Sumiyama, Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
Kenichi Goda, Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
Masayuki Kato, Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University Katsushika Medical Center, Tokyo 125-8506, Japan
Takehiro Mitsuishi, Shinichi Hirooka, Masahiro Ikegami, Department of Pathology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
Hisao Tajiri, Department of Innovative Interventional Endoscopy Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
ORCID number: Yuko Hara (0000-0001-8288-7730); Kenichi Goda (0000-0002-0350-3151); Akira Dobashi (0000-0002-4882-3220); Tomohiko Richard Ohya (0000-0002-4106-0355); Masayuki Kato (0000-0002-9715-2902); Kazuki Sumiyama (0000-0002-7976-6070); Takehiro Mitsuishi (0000-0002-3679-6616); Shinichi Hirooka (0000-0002-0721-5704); Masahiro Ikegami (0000-0002-0036-4109); Hisao Tajiri (0000-0002-5175-8685).
Author contributions: All authors helped to perform the research; Hara Y, Goda K, Dobashi A, and Ohya TR performed the endoscopic procedure; Hara Y and Kato M analyzed and interpreted the data; Hara Y drafted the article; Goda K designed the research; Dobashi A, Ohya TR, Mistuishi T and Hirooka S collected the data; Mistuishi T and Hirooka S performed the pathological diagnosis; Hara Y, Goda K, Sumiyama K, Ikegami M and Tajiri H contributed to critical revision of the article for important intellectual content; Tajiri H provided the final approval for this article.
Institutional review board statement: This study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, for clinical research [Registration No.: 29-079 (8695)].
Informed consent statement: This study was a retrospective observational study and carried out by the opt-out method to post a purpose in the Jikei University School of Medicine. Patients were not required to give informed consent for the study because the analysis used anonymous clinical data that were obtained after each patient agreed to treatment by written consent. For full disclosure, the details of the study are mentioned in the opt-put document in the Jikei University School of Medicine.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this article.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Yuko Hara, MD, Research Associate, Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan. yukohara0526@yahoo.co.jp
Telephone: +81-3-34331111-3181 Fax: +81-3-34594524
Received: October 13, 2018
Peer-review started: October 14, 2018
First decision: November 7, 2018
Revised: December 31, 2018
Accepted: January 9, 2019
Article in press: January 9, 2019
Published online: February 14, 2019

Abstract
BACKGROUND

It is widely recognized that endoscopic resection (ER) of superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) is technically challenging and may carry high risks of intraoperative and delayed bleeding and perforation. These adverse events could be more critical than those occurring in other levels of the gastrointestinal tract. Because of the low prevalence of the disease and the high risks of severe adverse events, the curability including short- and long-term outcomes have not been standardized yet.

AIM

To investigate the curability including short- and long-term outcomes of ER for SNADETs in a large case series.

METHODS

This retrospective study included cases that underwent ER for SNADETs at our university hospital between March 2004 and July 2017. Short-term outcomes of ER were measured based on en bloc and R0 resection rates as well as adverse events. Long-term outcomes included local recurrence detected on endoscopic surveillance and disease-specific mortality in patients followed up for ≥ 12 mo after ER.

RESULTS

In the study, 131 patients with 147 SNADETs were analyzed. The 147 ERs consisted of 136 endoscopic mucosal resections (EMRs) (93%) and 11 endoscopic submucosal dissections (ESDs) (7%). The median tumor diameter was 10 mm. The pathology diagnosis was adenocarcinoma (56/147, 38%), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (44/147, 30%), or low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (47/147, 32%). The R0 resection rate was 68% (93/136) in the EMR group and 73% (8/11) in the ESD group, respectively. Cap-assisted EMR (known as EMR-C) showed a higher rate of R0 resection compared to the conventional method of EMR using a snare (78% vs 62%, P = 0.06). No adverse event was observed in the EMR group, whereas delayed bleeding, intraoperative perforation, and delayed perforation in 3, 3, and 5 patients occurred in the ESD group, respectively. One patient with perforation required emergency surgery. In the 43 mo median follow-up period, local recurrence was found in four EMR cases and all cases were treated endoscopically. No patient died due to tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that ER provides good long-term outcomes in the patients with SNADETs. EMR is likely to become the safe and reliable treatment for small SNADETs.

Key Words: Duodenal adenoma, Duodenal cancer, Endoscopic resection, Endoscopic submucosal dissection, Long-term outcome

Core tip: Endoscopic resection (ER) in the duodenum remains a challenging technique owing to the anatomical peculiarity associated with the procedure and the high frequency of adverse events. This study aimed to investigate the curability, including long-term outcomes, related to ER for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) in a large case series. In contrast to endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was not associated with any adverse events. Nevertheless, ER is expected to provide good long-term outcomes in patients with SNADETs. In conclusion, EMR should be considered as standard treatment for small lesions of SNADETs; however, ESD remains challenging.



INTRODUCTION

Primary duodenal cancer is one of the gastrointestinal tumors with a low frequency of occurrence. Its prevalence rate in necropsy cases is reported to be 0.02%-0.5%[1]. Precancerous lesions, duodenal adenomas, are also rare and reported in approximately 0.1%-0.4% of patients who have undergone an esophagogastroduodenoscopy[2,3]. Previous studies showed that the 5-yr survival rate of patients with duodenal cancer was less than 30%[4]. Duodenal cancer has the poorest prognosis among cancers of all parts of the small intestine because most cases are detected at a far-advanced stage[4]. Additionally, since the duodenum is adjacent to important organs, such as the pancreas, gallbladder and liver, invasion or spread to these organs will be a factor of poor prognosis. Early detection and treatment of duodenal cancer will be necessary to improve patient prognosis. It, however, remains unknown about the clinical course of those patients who have early-stage cancer and adenomas in the duodenum.

Among duodenal tumors, epithelial tumors located at the ampullary site are classified as biliary tract tumors[5]. The ampullary tumors are different from non-ampullary tumors in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment. In the previous study, superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs; as adenoma or mucosal/submucosal carcinoma located outside the ampullary region) are considered an indication of endoscopic resection (ER) because of a low risk of lymph node metastasis[6-8].

ER for SNADET is a challenging technique compared to other gastrointestinal tracts because of the following reasons. First, the anatomical features, a narrow lumen and precipitous curvature of the duodenum, can provide inadequate view and make it difficult to maintain stable view of the endoscope. Second, Brunner’s glands in the submucosal layer can stiffen the duodenal wall; therefore, mucosal lifting is poor at submucosal injection, making ER more difficult, especially for the macroscopically depressed type of tumors. The muscular layer of the duodenum is very thin and this increases the risk of perforation[9].

Due to the rarity of SNADETs and the difficulty of ER, there have been few large-scale studies including more than 100 cases conducted to evaluate treatment outcomes of ER in patients with SNADETs. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of ER with more than 100 cases of SNADET to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and curability of the endoscopic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included the patients who underwent ER for SNADETs in a single-center at Jikei University Hospital between March 2004 and April 2017, and who met the following criteria: (1) newly diagnosed SNADET that included adenomas of low/high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN/HGIN) and superficial adenocarcinomas in which invasion was confined to the submucosal layer; and (2) no lymph node or distant organ metastasis. This study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, for clinical research [Registration No.: 29-079 (8695)]. This study was conducted in compliance with the revised Helsinki Declaration (1989).

Indications for ER

Indications for ER were defined as follows: (1) histologically diagnosed as adenoma with HGIN or adenocarcinoma by endoscopic biopsy; and (2) tumor lesions of macroscopic type 0-I and 0-IIa > 10 mm or type 0-IIc > 5 mm in diameter, which were endoscopically suspected as HGIN or superficial adenocarcinoma based on results of our previous study[6,10,11]. Lesions were suspected as HGIN or superficial adenocarcinoma when they showed a reddish area on white light endoscopy or an obscure mucosal pattern or network vascular pattern on magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging[6,11].

Endoscopic procedures

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was mainly performed for lesions ≥ 20 mm in diameter, and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was performed for lesions < 20 mm in diameter. EMR was performed under conscious sedation using pethidine hydrochloride (Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) and flunitrazepam (Eisai Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and ESD was performed under general anesthesia. When performing EMR, 10% glycerin solution (Glycerol; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) with a minute amount of indigo carmine dye was used for submucosal injection to lift up the superficial lesion. When performing ESD, 0.4% sodium hyaluronate (MucoUp; Boston Scientific Japan Co., Tokyo, Japan) was injected into the submucosal layer to obtain adequate and sustained submucosal elevation.

Two types of EMR were performed. Basically, a conventional method of EMR was performed using a snare (EMR-S) mainly for elevated lesions, and “EMR-C” method was performed mainly for depressed-type lesions. EMR-C is an aspiration resection method using a medium-sized transparent plastic cap (MAJ-296, 16.1 mm; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). A “suck and shake” method was used for this procedure to avoid perforation, as shown in Figure 1. If en bloc resection was not achieved in the initial resection, additional resection using the snare was performed to remove the residual portion of the lesion. Otherwise, coagulation method using either hot-biopsy forceps (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) or argon plasma coagulation (VIO300D; ERBE Elektromedizin, Tubingen, Germany) was occasionally carried out when minute tumor remained[12,13]. A dual knife and hook knife (KD-650L and KD-620LR, respectively; Olympus) were used for ESD (Figure 2). We tried to completely close or cover mucosal defects by clip closure or tissue shielding methods in all EMR and ESD cases to prevent delayed bleeding and delayed perforation[14,15].

Figure 1
Figure 1 The cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection method of superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumor. This is the “suck and shake” technique. Type 0-IIc lesion, 10 mm × 5 mm, mucosal carcinoma, cut-end negative. A: Indigo carmine spraying view. Depressed-type lesion was located in the second portion of the duodenum; B: Injecting the glycerol into submucosal layer; C: Sucking the lesion; D: Shaking the lesion to prevent muscle layer involvement; E: Ulcer findings just after lesion removal. The lesion was resected en bloc, and there was no bleeding or perforation in the ulcer just after the procedure; F: Closing the ulcer floor completely by clip to prevent delayed bleeding and perforation.
Figure 2
Figure 2 The endoscopic submucosal dissection method of superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors. Type 0-IIa lesion, 25 mm × 25 mm, mucosal carcinoma, cut-end negative. A: Flat, elevated-type lesion was located in the second portion of the duodenum; B: Performing circumferential incision and submucosal dissection; C: Ulcer findings just after lesion removal. The lesion was resected en bloc, and there was no bleeding or perforation in the ulcer just after the procedure; D: After 2 mo of endoscopic submucosal dissection, the wound became a scar, and no residual tumor was found.

All patients were admitted to our hospital and remained nil per os for 48 h. On day 2, patients were provided with a liquid diet and patients with an unremarkable postoperative course were discharged from the hospital on day 7 after ER.

Adverse events

Delayed bleeding was defined as a postoperative decrease in hemoglobin level of > 2.0 g/dL[16]. Delayed perforation was defined by the presence of free air on postoperative computed tomography (CT), with severe abdominal pain in patients without intraoperative macroscopic perforation.

Surveillance after ER

Patients underwent an initial follow-up endoscopy at 2 mo after ER. Thereafter, endoscopic surveillance was performed at 6 mo or 12 mo intervals. If a residual tumor was suspected, a biopsy was performed and the tissue obtained was examined histologically. We conducted a CT at 12 mo interval to detect metastasis in the patients with mucosal adenocarcinoma. If the pathology diagnosis was submucosal carcinoma (SMC), additional surgical local resection of duodenum was performed. If a patient was referred to another hospital after ER, a telephone survey with the referred physician was conducted to ascertain the date of the last endoscopic follow-up, tumor recurrence status, and survival status.

Pathology diagnosis

Pathology diagnosis was established by two expert gastrointestinal pathologists (SH, TM) who were blinded to the endoscopic finding. As aforementioned, SNADETs were histologically defined as adenoma and superficial adenocarcinoma consisting of mucosal carcinoma (MC) and SMC. The grade of atypia of all tumors was estimated in the highest atypical region and was categorized according to the World Health Organization (commonly known as WHO) 2010 classification[17], consisting of LGIN, HGIN, MC, and SMC[18]. The final diagnosis was established with endoscopically or surgically resected specimens when the diagnosis of resected specimens was different from that of preoperatively biopsied specimens[6].

Outcomes

The primary endpoint was the long-term outcome of endoscopically treated SNADETs, including local recurrence and disease-specific mortality, for patients who were under surveillance with an endoscopic observation for 12 mo or longer after ER. The secondary endpoint was short-term outcomes of ER including en bloc resection rates and R0 resection rates, and adverse events. Complete (R0) resection was defined as en bloc resection with tumor-free margins.

Statistical analysis

Continuous variables were expressed as median (interquartile range (IQR)) and were compared using Student’s t test or the Mann-Whitney U test. The chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare data pertaining to categorical variables. A probability value (P-value) of < 0.05 was considered significant. Stata software version 14 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX, United States) was used for all statistical analyses.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-one patients with 147 SNADETs were analyzed. The patient and tumor characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Ninety-four of the one hundred and thirty-one patients (72%) were men, and the median age was 64 yr. Ninety (61%) and thirty-eight (26%) lesions of 147 SNADETs were located in the second portion and the third or fourth portion, respectively. The median tumor diameter was 10 mm. Thirty (20%), sixty-one (42%), and fifty-six (38%) lesions showed protruded (0-I), slightly elevated (0-IIa), and depressed (0-IIc) macroscopic type, respectively. Final histology showed that 47 (32%) were LGIN, 44 (30%) HGIN, 54 (37%) MC, and 2 (1%) SMC. EMR and ESD were performed for 136 (93%) and 11 (7%) SNADETs, respectively.

Table 1 Characteristics of patients and tumors.
Patients, n = 131Value
Male, n (%)94 (72)
Age, median (IQR), yr64 (57-70)
Tumors, n = 147Value
Location, n
First/second/third or fourth19/90/38
Tumor diameter, median (IQR), mm10 (7-15)
Macroscopic type1, n
0-I / 0-IIa / 0-IIc30/61/56
Treatment, n
EMR/ESD136/11
Histology, n
LGIN/HGIN/MC/SMC47/44/54/2

Table 2 shows the long-term outcomes of the 121 patients with 135 SNADETs who were under surveillance with an endoscopic observation for 12 mo or longer after ER. The median follow-up period was 43 mo (IQR: 24-60). Local recurrence was found in 4 EMR cases within 12 mo after ER. All recurrence lesions were initially treated by piecemeal EMR (n = 2) or en bloc EMR with RX (n = 1) or R1 (n = 1). Eventually, those lesions were completely treated endoscopically.

Table 2 Long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection for 121 patients with 135 superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors.
Value
Follow-up period
Median (IQR), mo43 (24-60)
Local recurrence, n (%)
≤ 12 mo34 (3)1
> 12 mo40
Prognosis
Death by duodenal tumor, n0
Death by other causes, n (%)1 (0.9)2
Table 3 Characteristics of recurrence cases after endoscopic resection.
LocationDiameter (mm)Macroscopic typeTreatmentEn bloc/Piecemeal (n)R0 statusHistology
1Second80-IIcEMR-CEn blocRXMCHMXVM0
2Second180-IIcEMR-CPiecemeal (3)RXMCHMXVM0
3Second180-IIaEMR-CPiecemeal (2)RXHGINHMXVM0
4Second250-IIaEMR-SEn blocR1HGINHM1VM0

There was no case of local recurrence in more than 12 mo after ER. Also, no recurrence was noted in 88 cases treated by ER with R0 resection in the follow-up period. No treatment-related death occurred and none of the patients died of SNADET. One patient died of congestive heart failure during the follow-up period. Table 3 shows the details of recurrence cases. All the cases with tumor recurrence occurred after EMR with piecemeal or R1 or RX resection. Table 4 shows the short-term outcomes and adverse events related EMR.

Table 4 Short-term outcomes and adverse events (EMR-S vs EMR-C).
OutcomeEMR-S, n = 82EMR-C, n = 54P-value
Macroscopic type; 0-I or 0-IIa/0-IIc67 (82)/15 (18)14 (26)/40 (74)< 0.001
En bloc resection73 (89)48 (89)NS
R0 resection51 (62)42 (78)NS
Success rate of clip closure80 (98)52 (96)NS
Adverse events00NA
Perforation
Intraoperative00NA
Delayed00NA
Delayed bleeding00NA

In the EMR cases, 82 (60%) and 54 (40%) tumors were resected with EMR-S and EMR-C, respectively. EMR-S was more frequently used for protruded (0-I) or slightly elevated (0-IIa) tumors than EMR-C for depressed (0-IIc) tumors (82% vs 26%, P < 0.001). En bloc and R0 resection rates of EMR-S and EMR-C were 89%/62%, and 89%/78%, respectively. EMR-C showed a higher rate of R0 resection compared to EMR-S (78% vs 62%, P = 0.06) (Figure 3). No adverse event occurred in the EMR cases. Table 5 shows the short-term outcomes and adverse events related EMR vs ESD.

Figure 3
Figure 3 The study flow diagram based on the therapeutic outcomes of endoscopic resections. EMR: Endoscopic mucosal resection; ESD: Endoscopic submucosal dissection; EMR-S: Conventional method with snare; EMR-C: Cap-assisted EMR; R0: En bloc resection with tumor-free margins histopathologically; RX: Involvement of the horizontal and/or vertical margin could not be assessed histopathologically; R1: Involvement of the horizontal and/or vertical margin histopathologically; AC: Adenocarcinoma; HGIN: High-grade intraepithelial neoplasia; LGIN: Low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia.
Table 5 Short-term outcomes and adverse events (endoscopic mucosal resection vs endoscopic submucosal dissection).
OutcomeEMR, n = 136ESD, n = 11P-value
Tumor diameter, median (IQR)9 (7-14.5)20 (15-33)< 0.001
Macroscopic type; 0-I or 0-IIa/0-IIc81 (60)/55 (40)10 (91)/1 (9)NS
En bloc resection121 (89)11 (100)NS
R0 resection93 (68)8 (73)NS
Success rate of defect closure132 (97)7 (64)< 0.001
Adverse events05 (45)< 0.001
Perforation
Intraoperative03 (27)1< 0.001
Delayed02 (18)20.004
Delayed bleeding01 (9)2NS

The median size of lesions treated by ESD was larger than EMR (20 mm vs 9 mm, P < 0.001). Delayed bleeding, intraoperative perforations, and delayed perforations occurred in 1, 3, and 2 of the ESD cases, respectively. One of the three cases of intraoperative perforation required emergency surgery. In 2 SMC cases, surgical resection was performed after EMR. One case had an SM invasion depth of 500 μm and no vascular invasion and was negative for resection margin, whereas the other had an SM invasion depth of 1000 μm, mild invasion to vessels, and absence of lymphatic invasion, and was negative for VM0 and HMX. Additional surgical partial resection of the duodenum was performed in both patients with SMCs, with no recurrence or metastasis at 3 yr after ER.

DISCUSSION

In this retrospective study, we evaluated therapeutic outcomes of ER for SNADETs in order to clarify the safety, efficacy, and curability of ER in such patients. The long-term prognosis was favorable regardless of the ER technique employed, as no recurrence was noted at more than 12 mo after ER, and no disease-specific death occurred.

This is the third largest case series of patients with SNADETs who were treated via ER[7,9,12,19-23]. While this study included few patients treated by ESD, we report the largest number of EMR-C patients; this is particularly relevant for depressed-type SNADET lesions that would be difficult to resect via EMR-S. In this series of SNADET patients, all EMR procedures, including EMR-C, were completed without adverse events and no EMR-related complications were noted on follow-up. Although some ESD-treated patients experienced adverse events, previous studies showed a wide variation of local recurrence rates, ranging from 0% to 37.8% after ER of SNADETs[8,9,21,24,25].

Our study demonstrated excellent long-term outcomes of ER for SNADETs because the recurrence rate was only 3%, and no one died of SNADET in the median follow-up period of 43 mo, longer than 3 yr. There are two likely explanations for the small recurrence rate noted in this study. First, tumor diameter of SNADET in this study was smaller than those in other published studies[24,27]. Second, we used magnifying endoscopy to observe marginal areas of mucosal defect immediately after ER precisely. If we found a suspected lesion of residual tumor, we performed additional coagulation therapy by using argon plasma or hot biopsy. Tumor recurrence occurred only after piecemeal resection or en bloc resection with RX or R1, and all recurrent tumors were identified within 12 mo after EMR. Therefore, strict follow-up in a short interval will be required in such patients.

The incidence of depressed (0-IIc) type of SNADETs was higher in our case series than in previous studies (38% vs 5%-26% of SNADETs analyzed)[6,8,9,26,27]. Furthermore, the depressed type tumors were resected using the EMR-C method significantly more often than the EMR-S method in this study. As we found a higher rate of R0 resection for EMR-C than for EMR-S, we believe that EMR-C will be a more suitable method for depressed type SNADETs than EMR-S. Interestingly, we found no EMR-associated adverse events regardless of technique (EMR-C or EMR-S), whereas previous studies reported a higher incidence of adverse events for EMR-C than for EMR-S[23,24,28]. During EMR-C, the step involving sucking the lesion carries the risk of perforation[29]. We must always be careful to avoid perforation during EMR-C for a duodenal tumor, because the muscularis propria layer of the duodenum is very thin.

We recommend the following procedures of EMR-C, namely the “suck and shake” technique: (1) sucking on a target area after submucosal injection and closing of the snare, followed by (2) slightly loosening o the snare and shaking it. Considering no perforation occurred in EMR cases in this study, the “suck and shake” technique may work to release entrapment of the muscularis propria layer and avoid perforation. Neither intraoperative nor delayed perforation could be avoided in ESD-treated patients, likely because we failed to completely close or cover the mucosal defect using clipping or tissue shielding. We expect that the development of simpler endoscopic techniques for closing or shielding large mucosal defects may help reduce the incidence of delayed perforation.

Based on our present findings, relatively small lesions (< 20 mm) represented a good indication for EMR, as en bloc resection was achieved for most such tumors, with no local recurrence. ESD was mainly performed for larger lesions (≥ 20 mm). The en bloc resection rate was higher for ESD than for EMR (100% vs 89%), and no recurrence was noted after ESD. We found no EMR-related adverse events in this series of SNADET patients. Studies on EMR for SNADETs reported an incidence of 0-33% for delayed bleeding[9,21,24,28,30-33] and 0-4% for perforation (intraoperative or delayed)[9,22,30,34,35]. On the other hand, studies on ESD for SNADETs reported an incidence of 0-18.4% for delayed bleeding[8,26,27,36] and 0-50% for perforation[21,25,37-39].

Thus, our present findings confirm previous data suggesting that perforation rates are considerably higher for ESD than for EMR, though the absence of adverse events following EMR may affect the statistical robustness of these conclusions. Although ESD allows en bloc resection even for large lesions, the decision to perform ESD should be taken in full consideration of all circumstances, and duodenal ESD should be performed by a skillful endoscopist. Taken together, these observations suggest that EMR may become the standard endoscopic treatment for SNADETs, particularly if the lesions are relatively small.

We generally avoided taking a biopsy during preoperative endoscopy. The reasons are that the fibrosis after biopsy can increase the risk of perforation due to poor mucosal lifting and the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative biopsy may not be highly reliable. In fact, a multicenter case-series study showed that the overall accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis was significantly higher in endoscopic diagnosis than in histology from biopsy (endoscopy and biopsy, 75% and 68%, respectively)[6]. The other study also showed similar results that the accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis is superior to that of biopsy (endoscopy and biopsy, 78% and 74%, respectively) in preoperative endoscopy[40].

This study has several limitations. First, this was a retrospective, single-center study. Furthermore, we could not follow-up some patients, although the number of such patients was low (7.6%, 10/131). Second, very few ESD procedures were performed in this series. To confirm our present findings and promote the standardization of ER for SNADETs, future studies should have multi-center sampling and a prospective design.

In conclusion, this study suggests that ER would provide good long-term outcomes in patients with SNADETs, albeit a high incidence of adverse events is associated with ESD. EMR should be a first-line treatment for SNADETs, especially small lesions.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

Endoscopic resection (ER) for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumor (SNADET) is a challenging technique, due to the anatomical peculiarity of the procedure and the high frequency of the adverse event. Moreover, there are few reports on the treatment outcome of ER in many cases because of its relative rarity.

Research motivation

We aimed to determine the standardized criteria for endoscopic management of SNADNETs.

Research objectives

Based on the research background, we analyzed the results of the short-term and long-term treatment of over 100 cases of SNADET and investigated the effectiveness of ER in these cases.

Research methods

This study analyzed the short- and long-term outcomes of ER. Short-term outcomes of ER included en bloc and R0 resection rates, as well as the adverse events. Long-term outcomes included local recurrence detected on endoscopic surveillance and disease-specific mortality in patients followed up for ≥ 12 mo after ER. This retrospective study included a case series of 131 patients (147 SNADETs) who underwent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) between March 2004 and July 2017.

Research results

Over a median follow-up of 43 mo, recurrence was found in four lesions and those were treated endoscopically. No adverse events were observed in EMR-treated patients, whereas ESD for SNADETs carries a risk of bleeding and perforation. No patient died due to tumor recurrence.

Research conclusions

Our findings suggest that ER provides good long-term outcomes in patients with SNADETs. EMR was not associated with any adverse events and, therefore, could be considered as a standard treatment for small SNADETs.

Research perspectives

For small SNADETs, EMR is likely to become the standard treatment strategy.

Footnotes

Manuscript source: Unsolicited manuscript

Specialty type: Gastroenterology and hepatology

Country of origin: Japan

Peer-review report classification

Grade A (Excellent): 0

Grade B (Very good): 0

Grade C (Good): C, C, C

Grade D (Fair): 0

Grade E (Poor): 0

P- Reviewer: Barret M, Handra-Luca A, Skok P S- Editor: Yan JP L- Editor: Filipodia E- Editor: Yin SY

References
1.  Shukla SK, Elias EG. Primary neoplasms of the duodenum. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1976;142:858-860.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]
2.  Murray MA, Zimmerman MJ, Ee HC. Sporadic duodenal adenoma is associated with colorectal neoplasia. Gut. 2004;53:261-265.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 79]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 78]  [Article Influence: 3.9]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
3.  Jepsen JM, Persson M, Jakobsen NO, Christiansen T, Skoubo-Kristensen E, Funch-Jensen P, Kruse A, Thommesen P. Prospective study of prevalence and endoscopic and histopathologic characteristics of duodenal polyps in patients submitted to upper endoscopy. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1994;29:483-487.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 125]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 137]  [Article Influence: 4.6]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
4.  Howe JR, Karnell LH, Menck HR, Scott-Conner C. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the American Cancer Society. Adenocarcinoma of the small bowel: Review of the National Cancer Data Base, 1985-1995. Cancer. 1999;86:2693-2706.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 1]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
5.  Klimstra DS, Bosman FT, Carneiro F, Hruban RH, Theise ND. Tumours of the ampullary region. Bosman FT, Carneiro F, Hruban RH, Theise ND. WHO classification of tumours of the digestive system. Lyon: IARC Publications 2010; 82-86.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]
6.  Goda K, Kikuchi D, Yamamoto Y, Takimoto K, Kakushima N, Morita Y, Doyama H, Gotoda T, Maehata Y, Abe N. Endoscopic diagnosis of superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors in Japan: Multicenter case series. Dig Endosc. 2014;26 Suppl 2:23-29.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 118]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 138]  [Article Influence: 13.8]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
7.  Yahagi N, Kato M, Ochiai Y, Maehata T, Sasaki M, Kiguchi Y, Akimoto T, Nakayama A, Fujimoto A, Goto O, Uraoka T. Outcomes of endoscopic resection for superficial duodenal epithelial neoplasia. Gastrointest Endosc. 2018;88:676-682.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 85]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 90]  [Article Influence: 15.0]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
8.  Yamamoto Y, Yoshizawa N, Tomida H, Fujisaki J, Igarashi M. Therapeutic outcomes of endoscopic resection for superficial non-ampullary duodenal tumor. Dig Endosc. 2014;26 Suppl 2:50-56.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 76]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 84]  [Article Influence: 8.4]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
9.  Nonaka S, Oda I, Tada K, Mori G, Sato Y, Abe S, Suzuki H, Yoshinaga S, Nakajima T, Matsuda T, Taniguchi H, Saito Y, Maetani I. Clinical outcome of endoscopic resection for nonampullary duodenal tumors. Endoscopy. 2015;47:129-135.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 29]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 62]  [Article Influence: 6.9]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
10.  Japanese Gastric Cancer Association. Japanese classification of gastric carcinoma: 3rd English edition. Gastric Cancer. 2011;14:101-112.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 2390]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 2656]  [Article Influence: 204.3]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
11.  Yoshimura N, Goda K, Tajiri H, Ikegami M, Nakayoshi T, Kaise M. Endoscopic features of nonampullary duodenal tumors with narrow-band imaging. Hepatogastroenterology. 2010;57:462-467.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 3]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 4]  [Article Influence: 0.3]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
12.  Abbass R, Rigaux J, Al-Kawas FH. Nonampullary duodenal polyps: characteristics and endoscopic management. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010;71:754-759.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 80]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 88]  [Article Influence: 6.3]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
13.  Alexander S, Bourke MJ, Williams SJ, Bailey A, Co J. EMR of large, sessile, sporadic nonampullary duodenal adenomas: technical aspects and long-term outcome (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc. 2009;69:66-73.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 107]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 117]  [Article Influence: 7.8]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
14.  Iizuka T, Kikuchi D, Hoteya S, Yamada A, Yamashita S, Fujimoto A, Nakamura A, Matsui A, Kuroki Y, Mitani T, Kaise M. How to manage duodenal tumors with EMR or ESD. Gastroenterol Endosc. 2011;53:87-94.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]
15.  Ono H, Nonaka S, Uedo N, Kaise M, Oyama T, Doyama H, Kokawa A, Kaneko K, Kodashima S, Tanabe S, Toyonaga T. Clinical issues of duodenal EMR/ESD. Stomach Intestine. 2011;46:1669-1677.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]
16.  Tajiri H, Kitano S. Complications associated with endoscopic mucosal resection: Definition of bleeding that can be viewed as accidental. Dig Endosc. 2004;16 Suppl 1:S134-S136.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 63]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 62]  [Article Influence: 3.1]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
17.  Lauwers GY, Bosman FT, Carneiro F, Hruban RH, Theise ND. Gastric carcinoma. In: Bosman FT, Carneiro F, Hruban RH, Theise ND, editors. WHO classification of tumours of the digestive system. 4th ed. Lyon: IARC Publications, 2010: 48-58. Bosman FT, Carneiro F, Hruban RH, Theise ND. .  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]
18.  Mitsuishi T, Hamatani S, Hirooka S, Fukasawa N, Aizawa D, Hara Y, Dobashi A, Goda K, Fukuda T, Saruta M, Urashima M, Ikegami M. Clinicopathological characteristics of duodenal epithelial neoplasms: Focus on tumors with a gastric mucin phenotype (pyloric gland-type tumors). PLoS One. 2017;12:e0174985.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 23]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 25]  [Article Influence: 3.6]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
19.  Fanning SB, Bourke MJ, Williams SJ, Chung A, Kariyawasam VC. Giant laterally spreading tumors of the duodenum: endoscopic resection outcomes, limitations, and caveats. Gastrointest Endosc. 2012;75:805-812.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 58]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 63]  [Article Influence: 5.3]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
20.  Inoue T, Uedo N, Yamashina T, Yamamoto S, Hanaoka N, Takeuchi Y, Higashino K, Ishihara R, Iishi H, Tatsuta M, Takahashi H, Eguchi H, Ohigashi H. Delayed perforation: A hazardous complication of endoscopic resection for non-ampullary duodenal neoplasm. Dig Endosc. 2014;26:220-227.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 114]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 127]  [Article Influence: 12.7]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
21.  Hoteya S, Furuhata T, Takahito T, Fukuma Y, Suzuki Y, Kikuchi D, Mitani T, Matsui A, Yamashita S, Nomura K, Kuribayashi Y, Iizuka T, Kaise M. Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Non-Ampullary Superficial Duodenal Tumor. Digestion. 2017;95:36-42.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 71]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 84]  [Article Influence: 12.0]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
22.  Klein A, Nayyar D, Bahin FF, Qi Z, Lee E, Williams SJ, Byth K, Bourke MJ. Endoscopic mucosal resection of large and giant lateral spreading lesions of the duodenum: success, adverse events, and long-term outcomes. Gastrointest Endosc. 2016;84:688-696.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 51]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 56]  [Article Influence: 7.0]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
23.  Tomizawa Y, Ginsberg GG. Clinical outcome of EMR of sporadic, nonampullary, duodenal adenomas: A 10-year retrospective. Gastrointest Endosc. 2018;87:1270-1278.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 38]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 39]  [Article Influence: 6.5]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
24.  Conio M, De Ceglie A, Filiberti R, Fisher DA, Siersema PD. Cap-assisted EMR of large, sporadic, nonampullary duodenal polyps. Gastrointest Endosc. 2012;76:1160-1169.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 23]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 26]  [Article Influence: 2.2]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
25.  Maruoka D, Arai M, Kishimoto T, Matsumura T, Inoue M, Nakagawa T, Watanabe Y, Katsuno T, Tsuyuguchi T, Imazeki F, Yokosuka O. Clinical outcomes of endoscopic resection for nonampullary duodenal high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma. Endoscopy. 2013;45:138-141.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 39]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 40]  [Article Influence: 3.6]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
26.  Hoteya S, Yahagi N, Iizuka T, Kikuchi D, Mitani T, Matsui A, Ogawa O, Yamashita S, Furuhata T, Yamada A, Kimura R, Nomura K, Kuribayashi Y, Kaise M. Endoscopic submucosal dissection for nonampullary large superficial adenocarcinoma/adenoma of the duodenum: feasibility and long-term outcomes. Endosc Int Open. 2013;1:2-7.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 56]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 58]  [Article Influence: 5.3]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
27.  Matsumoto S, Yoshida Y. Selection of appropriate endoscopic therapies for duodenal tumors: An open-label study, single-center experience. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20:8624-8630.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in CrossRef: 32]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 32]  [Article Influence: 3.2]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
28.  Jamil LH, Kashani A, Peter N, Lo SK. Safety and efficacy of cap-assisted EMR for sporadic nonampullary duodenal adenomas. Gastrointest Endosc. 2017;86:666-672.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 15]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 18]  [Article Influence: 2.6]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
29.  Inoue H, Kawano T, Tani M, Takeshita K, Iwai T. Endoscopic mucosal resection using a cap: techniques for use and preventing perforation. Can J Gastroenterol. 1999;13:477-480.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 68]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 67]  [Article Influence: 2.7]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
30.  Hirasawa R, Iishi H, Tatsuta M, Ishiguro S. Clinicopathologic features and endoscopic resection of duodenal adenocarcinomas and adenomas with the submucosal saline injection technique. Gastrointest Endosc. 1997;46:507-513.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 60]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 64]  [Article Influence: 2.4]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
31.  Ahmad NA, Kochman ML, Long WB, Furth EE, Ginsberg GG. Efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection: a study of 101 cases. Gastrointest Endosc. 2002;55:390-396.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 273]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 296]  [Article Influence: 13.5]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
32.  Oka S, Tanaka S, Nagata S, Hiyama T, Ito M, Kitadai Y, Yoshihara M, Haruma K, Chayama K. Clinicopathologic features and endoscopic resection of early primary nonampullary duodenal carcinoma. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2003;37:381-386.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 56]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 55]  [Article Influence: 2.6]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
33.  Heresbach D, Kornhauser R, Seyrig JA, Coumaros D, Claviere C, Bury A, Cottereau J, Canard JM, Chaussade S, Baudet A, Casteur A, Duval O, Ponchon T; OMEGA group. A national survey of endoscopic mucosal resection for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasia. Endoscopy. 2010;42:806-813.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 32]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 33]  [Article Influence: 2.4]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
34.  Lépilliez V, Chemaly M, Ponchon T, Napoleon B, Saurin JC. Endoscopic resection of sporadic duodenal adenomas: An efficient technique with a substantial risk of delayed bleeding. Endoscopy. 2008;40:806-810.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 99]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 114]  [Article Influence: 7.1]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
35.  Park SM, Ham JH, Kim BW, Kim JS, Kim CW, Kim JI, Lim CH, Oh JH. Feasibility of endoscopic resection for sessile nonampullary duodenal tumors: a multicenter retrospective study. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2015;2015:692492.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 9]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 15]  [Article Influence: 1.7]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
36.  Endo M, Abiko Y, Oana S, Kudara N, Chiba T, Suzuki K, Koizuka H, Uesugi N, Sugai T. Usefulness of endoscopic treatment for duodenal adenoma. Dig Endosc. 2010;22:360-365.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 57]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 58]  [Article Influence: 4.1]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
37.  Takahashi T, Ando T, Kabeshima Y, Kawakubo H, Shito M, Sugiura H, Omori T. Borderline cases between benignancy and malignancy of the duodenum diagnosed successfully by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2009;44:1377-1383.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 39]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 46]  [Article Influence: 3.3]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
38.  Kakushima N, Kanemoto H, Tanaka M, Takizawa K, Ono H. Treatment for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20:12501-12508.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in CrossRef: 66]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 72]  [Article Influence: 7.2]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
39.  Miura Y, Shinozaki S, Hayashi Y, Sakamoto H, Lefor AK, Yamamoto H. Duodenal endoscopic submucosal dissection is feasible using the pocket-creation method. Endoscopy. 2017;49:8-14.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in Crossref: 15]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 33]  [Article Influence: 4.7]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]
40.  Kakushima N, Kanemoto H, Sasaki K, Kawata N, Tanaka M, Takizawa K, Imai K, Hotta K, Matsubayashi H, Ono H. Endoscopic and biopsy diagnoses of superficial, nonampullary, duodenal adenocarcinomas. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21:5560-5567.  [PubMed]  [DOI]  [Cited in This Article: ]  [Cited by in CrossRef: 30]  [Cited by in F6Publishing: 30]  [Article Influence: 3.3]  [Reference Citation Analysis (0)]