Endoscopic treatment of early gastric cancer: polypectomy and laser treatment.

With the tremendous development of gastroenterological endoscopy, it has become possible to treat some types of early gastric cancer by endoscopy. There are two principal methods for this purpose, endoscopic polypectomy using a high frequency electric current and laser endoscopy. We developed the technic and instruments of endoscopic polypectomy, in 1972. Since then, we have experienced 358 cases of gastric polypoid lesions treated by endoscopic polypectomy. Nineteen patients with the elevated type of early gastric cancer were treated by endoscopic polypectomy. Seven patients were operated on after polypectomy and 12 were followed without surgery. Out of the 12 patients, nine are alive after more than five years. On the other hand, we started research to apply lasers for treating early gastric cancer in 1978. Since then, 18 patients have been treated by laser endoscopy, with Nd-YAG laser, argon dye laser or a combination of both lasers. We have established criteria for these treatments for early gastric cancer.