ENDOSCOPIC RESECTION FOR EARLY GASTRIC CANCER: CURRENT STATUS IN KOREA

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was introduced in the 1990s, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in 2003. Currently, ESD is becoming the main procedure for the resection of early gastric cancer (EGC), and provides safer and curative outcomes. Endoscopic resection (ER) showed excellent long-term survival in Korea. The number of ESD has doubled over 5 years. ESD might be better than EMR in terms of en bloc resection, complete resection and long-term outcome. Novel techniques including endoscopic full-thickness resection with lymph node dissection will be positioned for some EGC.