Endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The early detection rate of superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SPSCC) by using narrow-band imaging is increasing. Importantly, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) provides promising outcomes by experienced endoscopists. The aims of this study were to clarify the feasibility of ESD for SPSCC and its safety and outcomes. In total, 10 patients with 11 lesions were treated by ESD between January 2015 and June 2019. We assessed tumor size, macroscopic type, endoscopic methods, procedure time, histopathologic results, resection results, local recurrence, and adverse events. En bloc resection rate and complete resection rate are 91% (10/11) and 36% (4/11), respectively. Two patients encountered laryngeal edema and one had subcutaneous emphysema. All the three patients recovered after conservative treatment and discharged uneventfully. There was one patient with local recurrence but all 10 of our patients survived (100%) during follow-up. ESD for superficial pharyngeal cancer is a safe and feasible treatment with satisfactory and promising outcome.