[Endoscopic mucosal resection of esophageal cancer]

Limited surgery, esophagectomy without thoracotomy or endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), is indicated for mucosal cancer of the esophagus without lymph node metastasis. Mucosal cancer less than 2 cm in size or less than a third of the circumference of the esophagus, is suitable for EMR. However, mucosal cancer invasive to the muscularis mucosa is excluded. As for postoperative complications, a small fissure, two cases of stenosis and 3 cases of oozing bleeding, were experienced. Conservative treatment was performed for all patients except one. The 5-year survival rate of EMR was 95%-100% in several institutions in Japan. Recurrence was observed in 3%-7%, however, it was cured by means of local treatment of esophageal cancer.