Results of Endoscopic Treatment for Early Gastric Cancer by Nd-YAG Laser

WE HAVE INTRODUCED TWO ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENTS FOR EARLY GASTRIC CANCER: endoscopic mucosal resection using a cap-fitted panendoscope (EMRC), and endoscopic laser therapy using a Nd-YAG laser. Thirty-two patients (34 lesions) with gastric cancer were treated by Nd-YAG laser; including 23 initial-therapy cases (25 lesions) and 9 second-therapy cases representing failures of endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic ethanol injection. Endoscopic laser therapy was performed safely without complication in all patients. Three patients had residual cancer, and 2 of these required surgery. Six patients died from other disease. Endoscopic laser therapy can remove early gastric cancer even when the lesion has ulceration or submucosal invasion, and has a powerful hemostatic effect. It is a safe and effective treatment for early gastric cancer.