Published online Aug 28, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i32.9503
Peer-review started: February 11, 2015
First decision: March 10, 2015
Revised: April 15, 2015
Accepted: July 8, 2015
Article in press: July 8, 2015
Published online: August 28, 2015
Processing time: 199 Days and 6.7 Hours
Minimally invasive endoscopic resection has become an increasingly popular method for patients with small (less than 3.5 cm in diameter) gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer. Currently, the main endoscopic therapies for patients with such tumors are endoscopic muscularis excavation, endoscopic full-thickness resection, and submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection. Although these endoscopic techniques can be used for complete resection of the tumor and provide an accurate pathological diagnosis, these techniques have been associated with several negative events, such as incomplete resection, perforation, and bleeding. This review provides detailed information on the technical details, likely treatment outcomes, and complications associated with each endoscopic method for treating/removing small gastric SETs that originate from the MP layer.
Core tip: Minimally invasive endoscopic resection has become an increasingly popular method for small gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) that originate from the muscularis propria (MP) layer. Currently, the main endoscopic therapies for patients with such tumors are endoscopic muscularis excavation, endoscopic full-thickness resection, and submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection. This review provides detailed information on the technical details, likely treatment outcomes, and complications associated with each endoscopic method for treating small gastric SETs that originate from the MP layer.