Frequent Persistence of Dysplasia by Systematic Pathological Evaluation After Photodynamic Therapy for Barrett’s Esophagus With High-Grade Dysplasia or Early Adenocarcinoma

Frequent Persistence of Dysplasia by Systematic Pathological Evaluation After Photodynamic Therapy for Barrett’s Esophagus With High-Grade Dysplasia or Early Adenocarcinoma Masaya Ohana, Mari Mino-Kenudson, Shinichi Ban, William Puricelli, Norman Nishoka Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is extensively evaluated for the treatment of superficial neoplasia arising in Barrett’s Esophagus (BE). Several reports have demonstrated marked reduction of neoplastic tissue post PDT, but only few have included a systematic pathologic assessment. Methods: 49 BE patients (M:41;F:8) with high-grade dysplasia (HGD, n Z 21), intramucosal carcinoma (IMC, n Z 25) and invasive carcinoma (InvCa, n Z 3) were treated with PDT. Photosensitizing agents were porfimer sodium (2 mg/kg)(n Z 45) or 5aminolevulinic acid (30 mg/kg)(n Z 4). Biopsies were taken with jumbo forceps from 4-quadrant every 2 cm over the length of the BE. During follow-up, the protocol surveyed the length of the original BE, including areas of squamous reepithelialization. Acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors was maintained in all patients. Results: Mean length of BE was 6.63 cm (range, 1-13). Mean follow-up was 27.7 months (range, 6-85). PDTwas successful after one session in 15 patients (30.6%; HGD 9, IMC 6) with no recurrence during follow-up (mean 19.9 months, range 7-32). Thirty four patients were treated with additional PDTalone (n Z 1), in combination with mucosal fulguration (nZ 19) or fulguration alone (n Z 13). One patient refused additional treatment. In toto, neoplasias were eradicated in 39 patients (79.6%)(HGD 17, IMC 21, InvCa 1) with a mean disease free interval of 12.8 months (0-32). The neoplastic lesions were downgraded in 2 patients (HGD to LGD, InvCa to IMC), unchanged in 7 (14.3%; HGD 3, IMC 3, InvCa 1), or progressed in one (IMC to InvCA). Thirteen of 24 patients (54.2%) with neoplasias spanning over less than 3 cm were successfully treated by one course of PDT. Conversely, it was successful in only 2 of 25 patients (8%) with neoplasia spanning over 3 cm. Residual neoplasias were more common in the distal (n Z 9) or middle (n Z 8) than in the proximal (none) segment of BE. Patches of BE covered by squamous epithelium were found in 30 patients (61.2%), and foci of buried neoplasia were found in 18 (36.7%) patients after PDT, while they were observed in only 17(34.7%) and 5(10.2%) before PDT, respectively. Conclusion: Post PDT detailed pathologic evaluation reveals a high frequency of persistent neoplasia. Diffuseness and distal location of the lesions are associated with treatment failure. Residual neoplasia is often covered by unremarkable squamous epithelium. These characteristics underline the importance of close follow-up.