Background and Aims Endoscopic therapy is emerging as an alternative to surgical therapy in patients with mucosal (T1a) esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) given the low likelihood of lymph node metastases. Long term outcomes of patients treated endoscopically and surgically for mucosal EAC are unknown. We compared long term outcomes of patients with mucosal EAC treated endoscopically and surgically. Methods Patients treated for mucosal EAC between 1998 and 2007 were included. Patients were divided into an ENDO group (treated endoscopically) and a SURG group (treated surgically). Vital status information was queried using an institutionally approved internet research and location service. Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards ratios. Results 176 patients were included of which 132 (74 %) were in the ENDO group and 46 (26 %) were in the SURG group. Mean follow up was 64 months (SEM 4.8) in the SURG group and 43 months (SEM 2.8) in the ENDO group. Cumulative mortality in the ENDO group (17%) was comparable to the SURG group (20 %) (p=0.75). Overall survival was also comparable using the Kaplan Meier method. Treatment modality was not a significant predictor of survival on multivariable analysis. Recurrent carcinoma was detected in 12% of patients in the ENDO group, all successfully re-treated without impact on overall survival. Conclusions Overall survival in patients with mucosal EAC when treated endoscopically appears to be comparable to that of patients treated surgically. Recurrent carcinoma occurs in a limited proportion of patients, but can be managed endoscopically.

OBJECTIVES Population-based data on the epidemiology and outcomes of subjects with intestinal metaplasia of the gastroesophageal junction (IMGEJ) and Barrett's esophagus (BE) are limited. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate the incidence of IMGEJ and BE diagnosed from clinically indicated endoscopy in Olmsted County, MN, over three decades (1976–2006) and prevalence as of 1 January 2007, (ii) compare baseline characteristics of subjects with IMGEJ and BE, and (iii) study the natural history and survival of both cohorts. METHODS This was a population-based cohort study. The study setting was Olmsted County, MN. Patients with BE (columnar segment > 1 cm with intestinal metaplasia) and IMGEJ (intestinal metaplasia in biopsies from the gastroesophageal junction) from 1976 to 2006 in Olmsted County, MN, were identified using Rochester Epidemiology Project resources. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records and pathology confirmed by gastrointestinal pathologists. The association of baseline characteristics with overall and progression-free survival was assessed using proportional hazards regression models. Outcome measures were baseline characteristics and overall survival of subjects with IMGEJ compared to those with BE. RESULTS In all, 487 patients (401 with BE and 86 with IMGEJ) were identified and followed for a median interval of 7 (BE subjects) to 8 (IMGEJ subjects) years. Subjects with BE were older, heavier, reported reflux symptoms more often, and had higher prevalence of advanced neoplasia than those with IMGEJ. No patient with IMGEJ progressed to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in contrast to BE subjects who had a cumulative risk of progression of 7% at 10 years and increased risk of death from EAC (standardized mortality ratio 9.62). The overall survival of subjects with BE and IMGEJ did not differ from that expected in similar age- and sex-distributed white Minnesota populations. CONCLUSIONS Subjects with IMGEJ appear to have distinct clinical characteristics and substantially lower cancer progression risk compared to those with BE.

Objectives To compare participation rates and clinical effectiveness of sedated endoscopy (sEGD) versus unsedated transnasal endoscopy (uTNE) for esophageal assessment and Barrett's esophagus (BE) screening in a population-based cohort. Methods Prospective, randomized, controlled trial in a community population. Subjects, ≥ 50 years of age who previously completed validated gastrointestinal symptom questionnaires were randomized (stratified by age, sex and reflux symptoms) to one of three screening techniques (either sEGD, or uTNE in a mobile research van (muTNE), or uTNE in a hospital outpatient endoscopy suite (huTNE)) and invited to participate. Results 209 of 459 (46%) subjects agreed to participate (muTNE n=76, huTNE n=72, sEGD n=61). Participation rates were numerically higher in the unsedated arms of muTNE (47.5%) and huTNE (45.7%) compared to the sEGD arm (40.7%), but were not statistically different (p=0.27). Complete evaluation of the esophagus was similar using muTNE (99%), huTNE (96%) and sEGD (100%) techniques (p=0.08). Mean recovery times (minutes) were longer for sEGD (67.3) compared to muTNE (15.5) and huTNE (18.5) (p<0.001). Approximately, 80% of uTNE subjects were willing to undergo the procedure again in future. 29% and 7.8% of participating subjects had esophagitis and BE respectively. Conclusions Mobile van and clinic uTNE screening had comparable clinical effectiveness with similar participation rates and safety profile to sEGD. Evaluation time with uTNE was significantly shorter. Prevalence of BE and esophagitis in community subjects ≥ 50 years of age was substantial. Mobile and outpatient unsedated techniques may provide an effective alternative strategy to sEGD for esophageal assessment and BE screening.

Background & Aims-There is controversy over the outcomes of esophageal adenocarcinoma with superficial submucosal invasion. We evaluated the impact of depth of submucosal invasion on the presence of metastatic lymphadenopathy and survival in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.