Novel treatment for gastric intestinal metaplasia, a precursor to cancer

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is precancerous with a worldwide prevalence of 25%. Eradicating Helicobacter pylori prevented about half of gastric cancers; failure to prevent the rest was attributed to GIM. GIM is irreversible and often extensive. There is no treatment. Existing endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is designed to treat early gastric cancer of usually <2 cm. We designed a two-endoscope technique of EMR for extensive lesions such as GIM.

Forty patients with histologically confirmed moderate to severe GIM (operative link on GIM [OLGIM] classification) received the treatment in a daycare center. Chromoendoscopy with methylene blue was first performed to indicate the GIM. Submucosal saline injections were used to lift the stained mucosa to form multiple safety cushions, which were transformed into artificial polyps by suction and ligation, using a cap familiar to gastroenterologists for ligation of esophageal varices. EMRs were then achieved by snare polypectomy. By rotating two gastroscopes, one was designated to perform lift and snare and the other to perform suction and ligation; cycles of lift-ligate-snare were performed until all stained mucosa was removed. Assessment chromoendoscopy with ≥seven biopsies was performed at 6 months.

A total of 227 EMRs were performed, with a median of 3.5 per patient. Bleeding was uncommon and minimal. Gastric perforation ascribable to loss of a safety cushion occurred in one patient. Chromoendoscopy at 6 months in 36 willing patients showed no recurrence of GIM.

The two-endoscope technique of EMR for GIM was essentially safe and effective, with no recurrence at 6 months. It could be performed by endoscopists with standard skills.