Endoscopic submucosal dissection for visible dysplasia treatment in ulcerative colitis patients: Cases series and systematic review of literature

Background and Aims: Ulcerative colitis [UC] patients are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer due to chronic inflammation. Endoscopic submucosal dissection [ESD] allows removal of non-invasive neoplastic lesions in the colon, but few data are available on its efficacy in UC patients. Methods: Data from consecutive UC patients diagnosed with visible dysplastic lesions in the colon who underwent ESD were evaluated. The en bloc removal, R0 resection and complication rates were calculated. Local recurrence and metachronous lesions during follow-up were identified. A systematic review of the literature with pooled data analysis was performed. Results: A total of 53 UC patients [age: 65 years; range 30-74; M/F: 31/22] underwent ESD. The en bloc resection rate was 100%, and the R0 resection rate was 96.2%. Bleeding occurred in seven [13.2%] patients, and perforation in three [5.6%] cases, all treated at endoscopy. No recurrence was observed, but two metachronous lesions were detected. Data from six other studies [three Asian and three European] were available. By pooling data, en bloc resection was successful in 88.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 83.5-92) of 216 lesions and in 91.8% [95% CI = 87.3-94.8] of 208 patients. R0 resection was achieved in 169 ESDs, equivalent to a 78.2% [95% CI = 72.3-83.2] rate for lesions and 81.3% [95% CI = 75.4-86] rate for patients. No difference between European and Asian series was noted. Conclusions: This pooled data analysis indicated that ESD is a suitable tool for safely and properly removing non-invasive neoplastic lesions on colonic mucosa of selected UC patients.