The research project consists of a multicenter clinical study to assess the use of an endoscopic technique for small subepithelial tumors (<15mm) of the digestive tract.
In addition to IDIBELL and the Bellvitge University Hospital, the Terrassa Mutua University Hospital, the Joan XXIII University Hospital of Tarragona, the Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, the Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida University Hospital, the Hospital de la Santa Cruz and Sant Pau, and the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital.
In the 122 subepithelial tumors studied, controls were needed since it was unknown if they were associated with an uncertain or malignant behavior. The final study established that 24% had a real potential for malignancy. In 80% of the cases, a favorable clinical impact was described in its management, especially in tumors ≤ 10 mm (>90%), with good overall safety (<5% complications, none severe).
According to the results, this strategy offers an acceptable solution for digestive subepithelial tumors, reducing the number of periodic check-ups, as well as, the associated worry of having a tumor.
In the authors’ opinion, “this study offers new and relevant information for the management of other subepithelial tumors, which are not included in the latest clinical practice guidelines, and could be considered in the daily clinical practice of many endoscopy units.”
This study is part of the doctoral thesis of the researcher Francesc Bas-Cutrina, under the direction of Dr. Sebastià Videla (IDIBELL Clinical Trials Research Unit) and Dr. Joan Gornals (IDIBELL principal investigator and HUB Digestive Endoscopy). During 2020 and 2021, thestudy results were disseminated to the main congresses (UEGW, DDW, SEED, SEPD, SCD) of the Digestive System.
The project has been carried out thanks to the financial support of the Mutual Medical Foundation (2017), the Catalan Society of Digestology (2018), and the Spanish Society of Digestive Endoscopy Foundation (2019).
The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a biomedical research center created in 2004. It is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Institute of Health, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
IDIBELL is a member of the Campus of International Excellence of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centers accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the “HR Excellence in Research” program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).