Endoscopic management of subepithelial lesions including neuroendocrine neoplasms: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline
Authors: Deprez Pierre H. , Moons Leon M.G. , OʼToole Dermot , Gincul Rodica , Seicean Andrada , Pimentel-Nunes Pedro , Fernández-Esparrach Gloria , Polkowski Marcin , Vieth Michael , Borbath Ivan , Moreels Tom G. , Nieveen van Dijkum Els , Blay Jean-Yves , van Hooft Jeanin E. 
Published: February 2022

Main Recommendations

1 ESGE recommends endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) as the best tool to characterize subepithelial lesion (SEL) features (size, location, originating layer, echogenicity, shape), but EUS alone is not able to distinguish among all types of SEL.

Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

2 ESGE suggests providing tissue diagnosis for all SELs with features suggestive of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) if they are of size > 20 mm, or have high risk stigmata, or require surgical resection or oncological treatment.

Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence.

3 ESGE recommends EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) or mucosal incision-assisted biopsy (MIAB) equally for tissue diagnosis of SELs ≥ 20 mm in size.

Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

4 ESGE recommends against surveillance of asymptomatic gastrointestinal (GI) tract leiomyomas, lipomas, heterotopic pancreas, granular cell tumors, schwannomas, and glomus tumors, if the diagnosis is clear.

Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

5 ESGE suggests surveillance of asymptomatic esophageal and gastric SELs without definite diagnosis, with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at 3–6 months, and then at 2–3-year intervals for lesions < 10 mm in size, and at 1–2-year intervals for lesions 10–20 mm in size. For asymptomatic SELs > 20 mm in size that are not resected, ESGE suggests surveillance with EGD plus EUS at 6 months and then at 6–12-month intervals.

Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence.

6 ESGE recommends endoscopic resection for type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs) if they grow larger than 10 mm. The choice of resection technique should depend on size, depth of invasion, and location in the stomach.

Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.

7 ESGE suggests considering removal of histologically proven gastric GISTs smaller than 20 mm as an alternative to surveillance. The decision to resect should be discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting. The choice of technique should depend on size, location, and local expertise.

Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence.

8 ESGE suggests that, to avoid unnecessary follow-up, endoscopic resection is an option for gastric SELs smaller than 20 mm and of unknown histology after failure of attempts to obtain diagnosis.

Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence.

9 ESGE recommends basing the surveillance strategy on the type and completeness of resection. After curative resection of benign SELs no follow-up is advised, except for type 1 gastric NEN for which surveillance at 1–2 years is advised.

Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.

10 For lower or upper GI NEN with a positive or indeterminate margin at resection, ESGE recommends repeating endoscopy at 3–6 months and another attempt at endoscopic resection in the case of residual disease.

Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.