| Superficial esophageal cancer (SEC) is frequently detected by a screening endoscopy and the development of endoscopic imaging techniques facilitate the early diagnosis. Endoscopic resection (ER) has been used for SEC when there is a negligible risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). The majority of esophageal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the Asia. SCC occurs more often in the upper and middle third of the esophagus. Esophageal adenocarcinoma mainly develops in the lower third and at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). The global incidence of EGJ cancer has increased in recent years. From an anatomical and histopathological point of view, EGJ represents the boundary between the esophagus and stomach. Fortunately, ER is established as the first choice treatment for early EGJ carcinoma without histopathologic risk factors of LNM. Multiple studies and long-term analyses have demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety of ER as an alternative to surgery for these lesions. Nevertheless, after ER of EGJ carcinoma with histopathologic risk factors for LNM, optimal management is still unclear. |
