Abstract:
Owing to technological developments in endoscopic treatment with continued development and application of newer endoscopic equipment, as well as improved health consciousness among patients, a greater number of patients are being diagnosed with early gastric cancer (EGC). Both laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery can achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of EGC. Patients undergoing endoscopic treatment for EGC showed improved quality of life postoperatively with lower complication rates. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is being widely used to treat EGC, with an overall 5-year survival rate of 90%. Patients undergoing ESD showed better perioperative outcomes in terms of lesser physical trauma, higher safety, excellent patient compliance, and lower treatment costs. ESD may gradually replace conventional surgery as the primary treatment for EGC. This paper focuses on the clinical application of ESD in the management of EGC.