Clinical outcomes of endoscopic oblique aspiration mucosectomy for superficial esophageal cancer.

Background: EMR is now a widely accepted option for the treatment for superficial esophageal cancer (SEC). However, studies of medium-term to long-term outcomes are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes in patients with SEC who are undergoing medium-term to long-term follow-up after endoscopic oblique aspiration mucosectomy (EOAM).

Design: A single-center retrospective study.

Setting: Kitasato University East Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.

Patients And Interventions: From November 1999 to October 2005, 85 patients with SEC underwent EOAM. All tumors were macroscopically classified as the superficial type on the basis of preoperative endoscopic and EUS findings. Patients were followed-up, with an endoscopy every 6 months.

Main Outcome Measurements: Therapeutic efficacy, complications, and follow-up results.

Results: The rate of complete resection was 82.5% (70/85). In patients who underwent an incomplete resection, argon plasma coagulation and heat probe coagulation were, in addition, performed. The median longest diameter of the resected specimens was 25 mm. The median time required for a resection was 27 minutes. There was no perforation. Bleeding after an EOAM occurred in 1 patient (1.2%). Esophageal stenosis developed in 8 patients (9.4%). All strictures were managed by endoscopic balloon dilation, and symptoms improved. The median follow-up period after EMR was 36 months (range 6-72 months). Local recurrence occurred in 5 patients (5.9%); the nonrecurrence rate was 96.4% at 1 year, 95.0% at 2 years, and 93.4% at 3 years. As additional treatment, argon plasma coagulation was performed in 4 patients, and endoscopic mucosal dissection was conducted in 1 patient.

Conclusions: EOAM is a safe, easy, and effective procedure for the treatment of SEC that can be completed within a short time. The rate of local recurrence is low on medium-term to long-term follow-up.