In LR submucosal EAC, the risk of metastatic disease appears to be very low. In deep submucosal EAC (either R0- or R1-resection), the rate of metastatic disease is lower than reported in earlier surgical series. Given the reasonable disease-free survival and high background mortality, conservative management of these patients seems to be a valid alternative for surgery in selected cases.

Endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus (BE) consists of endoscopic resection of visible lesions followed by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for any remaining flat BE. Because RFA is only justified in flat BE, detection of neoplastic lesions (high grade dysplasia [HGD] and early adenocarcinoma [EAC]) is crucial. We hypothesized that the detection of visible lesions containing HGD or EAC would be superior in BE expert centers compared with community hospitals, thereby supporting centralization of therapy for BE-related neoplasia. Patients referred with histologically proven HGD or EAC to two Dutch BE expert centers were included. Referral letters, and endoscopy and pathology reports were reviewed for the description of the BE, presence of lesions, and histopathological analysis of target and random tissue sampling. Primary outcome was the endoscopic detection rate of lesions containing histopathologically proven neoplasia (HGD and/or EAC) in community and expert centers. There were 198 patients referred from 37 community hospitals (median referral time 55 days [interquartile range 33 - 85]). Detection rates for visible lesions were 60 % in community centers (75 % in patients with a biopsy diagnosis of EAC, 47 % in HGD) and 87 % in expert centers (98 % in EAC, 75 % in HGD); < 0.001. Even with HGD/EAC on random biopsies from the index endoscopy, the yield at repeat endoscopy was < 50 % in community hospitals. In 79 patients referred solely because of random biopsy results, a lesion requiring endoscopic resection or surgery was found in 76 % by the expert endoscopists. Endoscopists at community hospitals detect neoplastic lesions at a significantly lower rate. These data support the value of BE expert centers for work-up and further treatment of BE.

Background and aims: Currently, eradication of Barrett?s epithelium is preferably achieved using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or spray cryoablation (SCA). However, both modalities suffer from drawbacks such as the need for sizing, multiple deployment steps, large controller units (RFA), imprecise dosing and need for gas-venting (SCA). The new Cryoballoon Focal Ablation System (CbFAS) may address these limitations. This study assessed the safety, feasibility, and dose response of the CbFAS in patients with flat Barrett?s epithelium with or without dysplasia. Patients and methods: In this multicenter, prospective non-randomized trial, 39 patients were each treated with one or two ablations of 6, 8, or 10 seconds. Symptoms were assessed immediately and 2 days post-cryoablation. Follow-up endoscopy was performed 6???8 weeks post-procedure to assess response. Outcome parameters were incidence of adverse events, pain, esophageal stricture formation, and ablation response by cryogen dose. Results: Of 62 ablations, 56 (10 with 6 seconds, 28 with 8 seconds, 18 with 10 seconds) were successfully performed. Six ablations failed because of device malfunction (n?=?3) and procedural or anatomic issues (n?=?3). Median procedure time was 7 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 4???10). No major adverse events occurred; six patients experienced a minor mucosal laceration requiring no intervention. Mild pain was reported by 27?% of patients immediately after cryoablation and by 14?% after 2 days. No strictures were evident at follow-up.?Full squamous regeneration was seen in 47 treated areas (6 [60?%] of the 6-second areas; 23 [82?%] of the 8-second areas; 18 [100?%] of 10-second areas). Conclusions: Focal cryoablation of Barrett?s epithelium with the CbFAS is feasible and safe, resulting in squamous regeneration in the majority of patients.