Published online Jun 10, 2015. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v7.i6.659
Peer-review started: August 21, 2014
First decision: September 28, 2014
Revised: February 6, 2015
Accepted: March 5, 2015
Article in press: March 9, 2015
Published online: June 10, 2015
Processing time: 303 Days and 20.5 Hours
AIM: To evaluate the determination of the margin of differentiated-type early gastric cancers by using conventional endoscopy.
METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 364 differentiated early gastric cancers that were endoscopically resected as en-bloc specimens and diagnosed pathologically in detail between November 2007 and October 2008. All procedures were done with conventional endoscopes and all endoscopic samples, before and after indigo carmine dye, were re-evaluated using a digital filing system by one endoscopist. We analyzed the incidence of lesions with unclear margins and the relationship between unclear margins and relevant clinicopathological findings.
RESULTS: The rate of lesions with unclear margins was 20.6% (75/364). Multivariate regression analysis suggested that the factors that make the determination of the margin difficult were normal color, presence of components of flat area (0-IIb), a diameter ≥ 21 mm, ulceration, and components of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the mucosal surface.
CONCLUSION: As many as 20% of differentiated early gastric cancers show unclear margins. Consideration of the factors associated with unclear margins may help endoscopists to accurately determine the margins of the lesion.
Core tip: As many as 20% of differentiated early gastric cancers show unclear margins by using conventional endoscopy. Consideration of the factors associated with unclear margins, such as normal color, presence of components of flat area (0-IIb), a diameter ≥ 21 mm, ulceration, and components of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the mucosal surface, may help endoscopists to accurately determine the margins of the lesion.