What’s New with Endoscopic Treatments for Early Gastric Cancer in the “Post-ESD Era”?

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Endoscopic treatments for gastric cancers have still been progressing even after the great success of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). <b><i>Summary:</i></b> In further advancements of ESD, safe and less-invasive procedures are challenged by managing postoperative bleeding, one of the major adverse events in ESD. Covering the mucosal defect after removal of lesions appears reasonable and effective for preventing delayed bleeding from the post-ESD ulcers. Shielding with biodegradable sheets is attempted on clinical trials, which show equivocal results. Although suturing of the mucosal rims is technically challenging, pilot studies demonstrate favorable outcomes for avoiding post-ESD bleeding even in cases at high risk. In cases after noncurative resection of ESD, the selection of patients who truly require additional gastrectomy with lymph node dissection is important to provide necessary surgery. Risk stratification of lymph node metastases and surgery has been developed, which offers tailor-made management to each patient considering the risks and benefits. In surgery, function-preserving gastrectomy to minimize the resection area in both lymphadenectomy and the primary site is clinically introduced. The sentinel node navigation surgery is promising to realize the minimally invasive gastrectomy, and it should strongly fit ESD as well as laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery or endoscopic full-thickness resection, although nonexposure approaches are desirable. <b><i>Key Message:</i></b> Development for less-invasive managements on gastric cancer will be continued in step with the advancement of endoscopic treatments.