A meta-analysis of high-quality trials shows immunotherapy-based neoadjuvant regimens, particularly combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy and targeted therapy, significantly improve pathological complete response (PCR) rates and overall survival in locally advanced gastric cancer. The neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy (NICT) and NICT plus targeted therapy (NICTT) groups outperformed traditional chemotherapy, although the NICTT group faced increased severe […]
Category: Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
AI-assisted system effectively aids esophageal lesion resections
The implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI) lesion-labeling system significantly improved the complete resection rate during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in low-volume centers. In a study involving 174 patients, 90% achieved negative lateral margins, while the en bloc resection rate stood at 98.5%. Comparatively, no significant difference was found in the lateral resection rates between […]
New staging system enhances prognosis accuracy for gastric cancer
A novel prognostic staging system developed from residual tumor burden significantly outperforms the AJCC’s YpTNM staging in predicting overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study analyzed data from 537 patients, finding that factors like lymph node stage and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were robust indicators […]
Abnormal Demeester Score Predicts Outcomes in Revisional Surgery
Abnormal Demeester scores significantly predict the need for revisional antireflux surgery (ARS) and correlate with improved post-operative outcomes. In a study of 278 patients, those with abnormal scores were more likely to undergo revisional surgery (68.9% vs. 47.3%) and reported higher satisfaction rates (82.9% vs. 65.5%) and freedom from proton pump inhibitors (77.6% vs. 60.3%) […]
Endoflip improves outcomes in achalasia treatment.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 studies involving 2,681 patients found that the endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe (endoflip) significantly reduced the distensibility index (DI) following myotomy, with a mean difference of -3.72. Additionally, the Eckardt score, a measure of treatment effectiveness, decreased by an average of -5.21. These findings highlight endoflip’s role in […]
Endoscopic vacuum therapy outperforms traditional treatments for leakages
An overview of recent advancements reveals that endoscopic management of anastomotic leakage (AL) in the upper gastrointestinal tract has improved significantly. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is now considered superior to traditional methods like sutures and stents, offering a lower complication rate and higher healing success. Smaller defects can still be treated effectively with endoscopic sutures […]
Enhanced recovery after surgery improves cancer survival rates
A multicenter trial involving 527 gastric cancer patients found that those receiving enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) showed significantly better three-year overall survival (86.56% vs. 80.11%) and disease-free survival (79.57% vs. 69.57%) compared to conventional care. The ERAS group experienced fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and lower medical expenses. Notably, patients with stage III cancer […]
ARMS offers fewer complications than TIF for GERD treatment
A comparative analysis reveals ARMS as a preferable option for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to shorter procedure times and reduced complications, specifically dysphagia and bleeding. While TIF shows higher rates of recurrence and reoperation, it offers better long-term efficacy in medication reduction and quality-of-life improvements, particularly in previously untreated patients. Individual treatment choices […]
Robot-assisted esophagectomy enhances surgical precision and outcomes
A recent study highlights the advantages of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) over traditional methods. RAMIE reduces complication rates, particularly pulmonary issues, and facilitates faster patient recovery while achieving comparable oncological outcomes. Despite higher initial costs, RAMIE offers financial viability due to its potential to lower complications. The successful implementation of RAMIE relies on effective […]
Location-specific lymph node dissection improves survival in esophageal cancer
Clinicians established that for early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, dissection of at least 17 lymph nodes significantly boosts survival rates. Tailored recommendations emerged based on tumor location: upper thoracic tumors require 19 lymph nodes, middle thoracic 17, and lower thoracic 18. Multivariate analysis identified total and lower mediastinal lymph nodes as critical independent prognostic factors. […]