[Endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer]

Endoscopic resection has recently improved because of advancement in endoscopic instruments and progressive endoscopic procedures. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a novel, promising endoscopic technique for gastrointestinal neoplasms and rapidly becoming widespread. Indication criteria for endoscopic resection of gastric cancer were extended through expansion of both theoretical and technical conditions. We would propose that ESD can become an alternative method to gastrectomy in cases of possible node-negative early gastric cancer, with an invaluable advantage over gastrectomy of preservation of the stomach. But ESD should be introduced after acquiring through knowledge and skill of usual ESD. And during follow-up, it has been noted that the number of metachronous gastric cancer have been increasing.