Impedance Spectroscopy in Esophageal Cancer

Diagnosis of Early Barrett's Neoplasia and Esophageal Squamous Cell Neoplasia by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy in Human Tissue

Detection of early esophageal cancer in surrounding normal tissue can be challenging even for experienced examiners. The early detection is essential to determine the following treatment. Early stages of esophageal cancers can be treated by endoscopic resection whereas advanced neoplasia might lead to an Operation of the esophagus. Diagnosis is made usually by biopsies of suspicious lesions or untargeted quadrant biopsies. The electrical properties in inflammatory tissue and cancer can be sensed by electrical bioimpedance technique. The aim of this study is to compare the impedance probe with the histological result and to investigate the feasibility of the new technique in detection of esophageal cancer.

Detection of early esophageal cancer in surrounding normal tissue can be challenging even for experienced examiners. The early detection is essential to determine the following treatment. Early stages of esophageal cancers can be treated by endoscopic resection (ER) whereas advanced neoplasia might lead to esophagectomy. Diagnosis is made usually by biopsies of suspicious lesions or untargeted quadrant biopsies. The electrical properties in inflammatory tissue and dysplasia can be sensed by electrical bioimpedance technique. The aim of this study is to compare the impedance probe with the histological result and to investigate the feasibility of the new technique in detection of esophageal cancer.

Observation group: patient who are planned for endoscopic resection because of known esophageal cancer. Immediately after retrieval the resected specimens will be investigated for their electrical impedance properties. The results of the impedance measurement are compared to the histological results.

After endoscopic resection of early esophageal cancer, the tissue will be measured by an impedance probe between 10Hz-1000000Hz, 20mV. 8 gold electrodes have been integrated to the probe. The impedance will be measured in different ways between the elctrodes. There will be 10 measurements in total for each specimen.

Inclusion Criteria: Known esophageal cancer and planned for endoscopic resection Exclusion Criteria: Missing consent / agreement Patient in bad condition for endoscopy or endoscopic resection Patients with coagulopathy or anticoagulative medication which is a contraindication for endoscopy

Data access request will be discussed by an internal board . Requestors will be required to sign a Data Access Agreement.

Blosser S, May A, Welsch L, Ast M, Braun S, Velten T, Biehl M, Tschammer J, Roeb E, Knabe M. Virtual Biopsy by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy in Barrett's Carcinoma. J Gastrointest Cancer. 2022 Dec;53(4):948-957. doi: 10.1007/s12029-021-00703-0. Epub 2021 Sep 24.