Histologic evaluation of resection specimens obtained at 293 endoscopic resections in Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based selection criteria for endoscopic resection (ER) of Barrett's neoplasia are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To study the histopathology of ER specimens of Barrett's neoplasia and correlate this with endoscopic characteristics to make recommendations for patient management. DESIGN, SETTING, INTERVENTIONS: Histology and correlating endoscopy reports of specimens obtained at 293 consecutive ERs performed at a Dutch tertiary referral center between 2000 and 2006 were reviewed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Histologic findings in ER specimens and their relation with endoscopic characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 150 ERs were performed for focal lesions: 16% type 0-I, 23% 0-IIa, 7% 0-IIb, 3% 0-IIc, 9% 0-IIa-IIb, and 42% 0-IIa-IIc; and 143 for flat mucosa. Histology revealed no dysplasia in 57 ERs, low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia in 52, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia in 104, T1m in 61, and T1sm in 17; in two cancers, infiltration depth was not assessable because of artifacts. Type 0-I and 0-IIc lesions significantly more often penetrated the submucosa (P = .009): 60% were G1 cancers, 23% were G2 cancers, and 18% were G3 cancers. G2-G3 cancers significantly more often invaded the submucosa (P < .001) or had positive vertical margins (P = .015). Histology of ER specimens led to a change in diagnosis in 49% of the focal lesions and a relevant change in treatment policy in 30%.

LIMITATIONS

A retrospective study.

CONCLUSIONS

ER is a valuable diagnostic tool that frequently leads to a change in treatment policy. Most endoscopically resected early Barrett's neoplasia are 0-II type, G1 mucosal neoplasia. Submucosal infiltration is more often encountered in type 0-I and 0-IIc lesions and in G2-G3 cancers.