Summary
Fifty-four lesions found in 51 cases of early gastric cancer were treated with the
Nd:YAG laser, N2 dye laser, local injection of ethanol, polypectomy and a combination of these methods
between November, 1980 and July, 1986. Among these lesions, 34 were followed for more
than one year with the endoscope.
In 86 % of the lesions treated, no recurrence of cancer was detected during the observation
period, nor were there any deaths from gastric cancer. An analysis of the results
showed that local cure of early gastric cancer in the mucosal layer could be accomplished
with many kinds of endoscopic devices and that the difficulties ofr curative treatment
depended on tumor localization and size. Further, we were able to assess local cure
after endoscopic treatment on the basis of the endoscopic features of the tumor; local
cure presents as a scarred stage with a smooth surface and with no abnormal granules
or irregular redness. At present, endoscopic treatment should however, be limited
to inoperable cases, since we cannot definitively diagnose lymph node metastasis or
depth of cancer invasion.
Key words:
Early gastric cancer - Endoscopic treatment - Recurrence
