MAGNIFYING ENDOSCOPY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY GASTRIC CANCER

Abstract

Magnifying endoscopy of stomach cancer requires observation of minute structure and minute vessel patterns of the mucosal surface. The small pits, various‐sized pits, irregularly branched pits and irregular vessels were found to be characteristics as the surface structure of early gastric cancer. Small pits were commonly observed on the differentiated type of early gastric cancer (88%) compared with the undifferentiated type (50%). We found it important to analyze not only the minute vessel patterns, but also the minute surface structure to ensure magnifying endoscopic observation using 0.1% indigo‐carmine and the binarized images would be effective in determining the margin of the lesion. The relationship between the findings of magnifying endoscopy in cancer and the histology should now be investigated. Applying the techniques mentioned above, more delicate observation in the regular endoscopy and prudent photographing to obtain clear images might be promoted. Thus, this would contribute to endoscopy with a concept similar to optical biopsy, and which can depend on the usual biopsy methods.