Indication and evaluation of endoscopic submucosa dissection in the treatment of early gastric cancer       YAO Li-qing, ZHONG Yun-shi, SHI Qiang. Endoscopy Center，Zhongshan Hospital，Fudan University；Endoscopy Research Institute，Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Abstract    Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a new technique developed to obtain one-piece resection even for large and ulcerative lesions, permitting removal of early gastric cancer (EGC) en bloc. The extended criterias of the ESD operation on EGC include that (1) differentiated mucosal cancers without ulceration irrespective of tumor size; (2) differentiated mucosal cancers irrespective of ulcer less than 30mm; (3)differentiated sm1 carcinoma, lesion diameter less than 30mm; (4)undifferentiated mucosal cancers without ulceration less than 20mm. If ESD is performed for patients with EGC that fulfilled the suitable criteria, the prognosis is similar to the traditional open surgery. Complications may be reduced and the quality of patients’ life can be improved significantly. ESD is an effective and safe therapy in the management of EGC.