Background/Aims: The irregular Z-line, defined as a segment of columnar mucosa less than 1 cm in the distal esophagus, is often biopsied despite guidelines advising against it due to a low risk of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). However, the clinical significance of an irregular Z-line remains unclear. This meta-analysis examines the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia, and EAC in patients with an irregular Z-line. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases up to October 2023 for studies on the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia, and EAC in these patients. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results: Nine studies involving 17,637 patients were analyzed. Among those with an irregular Z-line, the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia was 29.4%. In patients with intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia was found in 6.2%, low-grade dysplasia in 5.9%, high-grade dysplasia in 1.6%, and EAC in 1.5%. These rates were higher compared to those without intestinal metaplasia. Conclusions Patients with an irregular Z-line and intestinal metaplasia may be at higher risk and could benefit from endoscopic surveillance. Further studies are needed to determine the necessity of biopsying irregular Z-lines.

Background/Aims: The irregular Z-line, defined as a segment of columnar mucosa less than 1 cm in the distal esophagus, is often biopsied despite guidelines advising against it due to a low risk of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). However, the clinical significance of an irregular Z-line remains unclear. This meta-analysis examines the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia, and EAC in patients with an irregular Z-line. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases up to October 2023 for studies on the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia, and EAC in these patients. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results: Nine studies involving 17,637 patients were analyzed. Among those with an irregular Z-line, the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia was 29.4%. In patients with intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia was found in 6.2%, low-grade dysplasia in 5.9%, high-grade dysplasia in 1.6%, and EAC in 1.5%. These rates were higher compared to those without intestinal metaplasia. Conclusions Patients with an irregular Z-line and intestinal metaplasia may be at higher risk and could benefit from endoscopic surveillance. Further studies are needed to determine the necessity of biopsying irregular Z-lines.

Background/Aims: The irregular Z-line, defined as a segment of columnar mucosa less than 1 cm in the distal esophagus, is often biopsied despite guidelines advising against it due to a low risk of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). However, the clinical significance of an irregular Z-line remains unclear. This meta-analysis examines the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia, and EAC in patients with an irregular Z-line. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases up to October 2023 for studies on the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia, and EAC in these patients. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results: Nine studies involving 17,637 patients were analyzed. Among those with an irregular Z-line, the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia was 29.4%. In patients with intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia was found in 6.2%, low-grade dysplasia in 5.9%, high-grade dysplasia in 1.6%, and EAC in 1.5%. These rates were higher compared to those without intestinal metaplasia. Conclusions Patients with an irregular Z-line and intestinal metaplasia may be at higher risk and could benefit from endoscopic surveillance. Further studies are needed to determine the necessity of biopsying irregular Z-lines.

Background/Aims: Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) is routinely performed for small colorectal polyps (≤10 mm). However, challenges include insufficient resection depth and immediate bleeding, hindering precise pathological evaluation. We aimed to compare the outcomes of cold endoscopic mucosal resection (CEMR) with that of CSP for colorectal polyps ≤10 mm, using data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Multiple databases were searched in December 2023 for RCTs reporting outcomes of CSP versus CEMR for colorectal polyps ≤10 mm in size. Our primary outcomes were rates of complete and en-bloc resections, while our secondary outcomes were total resection time (seconds) and adverse events, including immediate bleeding, delayed bleeding, and perforation. Results: The complete resection rates did not significantly differ (CSP, 91.8% vs. CEMR 94.6%), nor did the rates of en-bloc resection (CSP, 98.9% vs. CEMR, 98.3%) or incomplete resection (CSP, 6.7% vs. CEMR, 4.8%). Adverse event rates were similarly insignificant in variance. However, CEMR had a notably longer mean resection time (133.51 vs. 91.30 seconds). Conclusions Our meta-analysis of seven RCTs showed that while both CSP and CEMR are equally safe and effective for resecting small (≤10 mm) colorectal polyps, the latter is associated with a longer resection time.

Background/Aims: Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) is routinely performed for small colorectal polyps (≤10 mm). However, challenges include insufficient resection depth and immediate bleeding, hindering precise pathological evaluation. We aimed to compare the outcomes of cold endoscopic mucosal resection (CEMR) with that of CSP for colorectal polyps ≤10 mm, using data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Multiple databases were searched in December 2023 for RCTs reporting outcomes of CSP versus CEMR for colorectal polyps ≤10 mm in size. Our primary outcomes were rates of complete and en-bloc resections, while our secondary outcomes were total resection time (seconds) and adverse events, including immediate bleeding, delayed bleeding, and perforation. Results: The complete resection rates did not significantly differ (CSP, 91.8% vs. CEMR 94.6%), nor did the rates of en-bloc resection (CSP, 98.9% vs. CEMR, 98.3%) or incomplete resection (CSP, 6.7% vs. CEMR, 4.8%). Adverse event rates were similarly insignificant in variance. However, CEMR had a notably longer mean resection time (133.51 vs. 91.30 seconds). Conclusions Our meta-analysis of seven RCTs showed that while both CSP and CEMR are equally safe and effective for resecting small (≤10 mm) colorectal polyps, the latter is associated with a longer resection time.

Background/Aims: Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) is routinely performed for small colorectal polyps (≤10 mm). However, challenges include insufficient resection depth and immediate bleeding, hindering precise pathological evaluation. We aimed to compare the outcomes of cold endoscopic mucosal resection (CEMR) with that of CSP for colorectal polyps ≤10 mm, using data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Multiple databases were searched in December 2023 for RCTs reporting outcomes of CSP versus CEMR for colorectal polyps ≤10 mm in size. Our primary outcomes were rates of complete and en-bloc resections, while our secondary outcomes were total resection time (seconds) and adverse events, including immediate bleeding, delayed bleeding, and perforation. Results: The complete resection rates did not significantly differ (CSP, 91.8% vs. CEMR 94.6%), nor did the rates of en-bloc resection (CSP, 98.9% vs. CEMR, 98.3%) or incomplete resection (CSP, 6.7% vs. CEMR, 4.8%). Adverse event rates were similarly insignificant in variance. However, CEMR had a notably longer mean resection time (133.51 vs. 91.30 seconds). Conclusions Our meta-analysis of seven RCTs showed that while both CSP and CEMR are equally safe and effective for resecting small (≤10 mm) colorectal polyps, the latter is associated with a longer resection time.

Approximately 0.7% of patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) develop ACEI-induced angioedema (ACEI-IA). With no approved treatments for ACEI-IA, the risk of complications is concerning. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has the potential to prevent intubations and resolve ACEI-IA by inhibiting the downstream production of bradykinin. In this review, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TXA use in ACEI-IA. We queried the PubMed database for studies involving TXA for ACEI-IA from January 2003 to January 2023. Seven studies met the study inclusion criteria. Our results demonstrate that TXA may improve angioedema symptoms and prevent intubation. In addition, its availability, low cost, and safety profile support its use for improving the symptoms and complications of ACEI-IA in an emergency setting.

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus, a frequent comorbid condition in cancer patients, has been shown to increase risk of all-site cancer mortality. This relationship has not been systematically studied in bladder cancer patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify, evaluate, and synthesize available evidence on the relationship between history of diabetes and outcomes in bladder cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Systematic searches interrogated OVID MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library to identify scholarly reports relating diabetes to all-cause mortality, bladder cancer-specific mortality, recurrence, and progression in bladder cancer patients. After critical review, meta-analysis was used to quantitively synthesize qualifying data and assess potential influence of publication bias, clinical heterogeneity, and residual confounding. Results: We synthesized data on over 226,472 patients treated with curative intent uniquely represented in 28 studies that met quality metrics. Having diabetes was positively associated with each outcome. Hazard ratio estimates were indistinguishable for mortality from any cause, 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1.33) and bladder cancer-specific mortality, 1.28 (95% CI 1.17–1.41) and notably stronger in patients with muscle-invasive and high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer, 1.32 (95% CI, 1.15–1.50) and 1.48 (95% CI, 1.06–2.06). Neither publication bias, systematic error, nor confounding by factors such as smoking or obesity is likely to explain the observed associations. Conclusions Bladder cancer patients with diabetes experience elevated mortality that is not explained by diabetes-related comorbidities or complications. Future research should explore type, severity, and duration of diabetes in relation to unfavorable bladder cancer outcomes.

Referral to an endoscopist is often done once curative resection is no longer an option for cholangiocarcinoma management. In such cases, palliation has become the main objective of the treatment. Photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation can be performed to achieve palliation, with both procedures associated with improved stent patency and survival. Despite the greatly increased cost and association with photosensitivity, photodynamic therapy allows transmission to the entire biliary tree. In contrast, radiofrequency ablation is cheaper and faster to apply but requires intraductal contact. This paper reviews both modalities and compares their efficacy and safety for bile duct cancer palliation.

The Division of Cancer Prevention of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Office of Disease Prevention of the National Institutes of Health co-sponsored the Translational Advances in Cancer Prevention Agent Development Meeting on August 27 to 28, 2020. The goals of this meeting were to foster the exchange of ideas and stimulate new collaborative interactions among leading cancer prevention researchers from basic and clinical research; highlight new and emerging trends in immunoprevention and chemoprevention as well as new information from clinical trials; and provide information to the extramural research community on the significant resources available from the NCI to promote prevention agent development and rapid translation to clinical trials. The meeting included two plenary talks and five sessions covering the range from pre-clinical studies with chemo/immunopreventive agents to ongoing cancer prevention clinical trials. In addition, two NCI informational sessions describing contract resources for the preclinical agent development and cooperative grants for the Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network were also presented.