[Endoscopic mucosal resection for early esophageal cancer]

'xcently, a new method of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early esophageal cancer has been developed with the advance of the endoscopic equipment. There are three methods for EMR, one is 2 channel method, the second is EMR using over-tube and the third is EMR using cap-fitted panendoscope. Using a new type of over-tube (EEMR-tube) for EMR, which was designed by Makuuchi, esophageal mucosal lesions can be resected easily and certainly. It is thought that the indication of EMR for early esophageal cancer is the lesion limited to the muscularis mucosae. Large ulcers by endoscopic mucosal resection will disappear without any stenotic change within two months. We think that EMR is a useful technique for the treatment of early esophageal cancer because of keeping quality of life of patients and capability of histological findings.