Risk factors for local recurrence of superficial esophageal cancer after treatment by endoscopic mucosal resection

Background and study aim: The aim of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for local recurrence after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) treatment for superficial esophageal cancer (SEC). Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical course of 62 patients with 64 SECs that were treated by EMR between 1993 and 2004. Follow-up examinations by chromoscopy with iodine solution and biopsy were performed 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and then annually after EMR. Local recurrence was defined as a histologically confirmed finding of cancer cells at the site of the preceding EMR. The contributions of lesion-related and procedure-related factors to local recurrence were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Local recurrence was detected in 14/64 SECs 3-36 months after EMR. Of the lesion-related factors we assessed, local recurrence was found to be more frequent in SECs with a larger diameter (P= 0.01), larger circumferential spread (P = 0.04), or deeper invasion (P = 0.04), although the last two factors failed to demonstrate statistical significance after correction for multiple testing. Piecemeal resection did not increase the risk of local recurrence (P= 0.11), but the need for adjunctive coagulation therapy was found to increase the risk of local recurrence (P= 0.06). Conclusions: Larger SECs are associated with a higher risk of local recurrence after EMR. In patients with residual lesions, coagulation therapy does not seem to be adequate as additional endoscopic treatment.