Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Subepithelial Tumor Treatment in the Upper Digestive Tract: A Western, Multicenter Study

Abstract

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been proposed for removal of gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors (GI-SETs), but data are still scanty. This study aimed to report a case series from a western country. <b><i>Patients and Methods:</i></b> Data of patients with upper GI-SETs suitable for ESD removal observed in 4 centers were retrospectively reviewed. Before endoscopic procedure, the lesion was characterized by endosonographic evaluation, histology, and CT scan. The <i>en bloc</i> resection and the R0 resection rates were calculated, as well as incidence of complications, and the 1-year follow-up was reported. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Data of 84 patients with esophageal (<i>N</i> = 13), gastric (<i>N</i> = 61), and duodenal (<i>N</i> = 10) GI-SETs were collected. The mean diameter of lesions was 26 mm (range: 12–110 mm). There were 17 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, 12 neuroendocrine tumors, 35 leiomyomas, 18 lipomas, and 2 hamartomas. <i>En bloc</i> and R0 resection were achieved in 83 (98.8%) and in 80 (95.2%) patients, respectively. Overall, a complication occurred in 11 (13.1%) patients, including bleeding (<i>N</i> = 7) and perforation (<i>N</i> = 4). Endoscopic approach was successful in all bleedings, but 1 patient who required radiological embolization, and in 2 perforations, while surgery was performed in the other patients. Overall, a surgical approach was eventually needed in 5 (5.9%), including 3 in whom R0 resection failed and 2 with perforation. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our study found that ESD may be an effective and safe alternative to surgical intervention for both benign and localized malignant GI-SETs.