Understanding Gastric Cancer and the Benefits of Endoscopic Resection

Traditionally, a cure for gastric cancer was only possible through radical resection through surgery. However, with the advancement of medical technology, it has become possible to cure gastric cancer through endoscopic resection, which removes only the tissue where the cancer has developed without resecting the organ.

Eating Habits and the Risk of Stomach Cancer

Gastric cancer is a particularly common cancer in Korea. According to the Central Cancer Registry data released in 2023, 29,361 cases occurred in 2021, ranking 4th among all cancers. The causes of gastric cancer include genetic factors, Helicobacter pylori infection rate, and environmental factors. The incidence of gastric cancer in Korea is relatively high due to the eating habits of mainly eating spicy and pickled foods.

Early Gastric Cancer Detection and Cure Rate

Gastric cancer starts from the mucosa of the stomach, invades the muscle layer of the stomach, and grows to the lymph nodes around the stomach. Early gastric cancer is cancer limited to the mucosa and submucosal layer of the stomach, and most of the time there are no symptoms. Fortunately, in Korea, gastric cancer screening is included in the national health checkup, so the detection rate of early gastric cancer without symptoms is very high, and its cure rate is also very good.

Endoscopic Resection: A Safe and Effective Treatment

Treatment methods for gastric cancer include endoscopic resection, surgical resection, and chemotherapy. If gastric cancer is found early, it can be cured with endoscopic resection without gastric resection. For patients who can undergo endoscopic resection, the cure rate is 95% when gastric cancer treatment is appropriate, and the cure rate for patients who are slightly outside the selection group for endoscopic resection but are early is over 90%.

How Endoscopic Resection Works

Endoscopic resection of gastric cancer is a procedure to remove cancer lesions through an endoscope. A solution is injected into the submucosal layer around the lesion to separate the layers, and the separated cancerous tissue mucosa is removed using a specially designed endoscopic incision. Separating the layers creates a space for peeling, which reduces the possibility of perforation and allows for more complete removal of cancer that has developed in the mucosa.

Benefits of Endoscopic Resection

Endoscopic resection is the safest treatment for patients with early gastric cancer. In the case of surgical resection, rather than just removing the cancerous part, the stomach must be cut into sections, and all lymph nodes must be removed to prepare for the risk of cancer cells being in the lymph nodes. Endoscopic resection, on the other hand, removes only stomach tissue, so it can preserve the organs and improve the quality of life after treatment.

Post-Procedure Care and Dietary Control

Endoscopic resection is a relatively safe procedure, but management is required for a certain period of time after the procedure. Ulcers may temporarily form at the endoscopic resection site, which may cause complications such as bleeding or perforation. Therefore, after the procedure, you must strictly follow the instructions of the medical staff, such as medication and dietary control.

Prevention and Early Detection

Early gastric cancer rarely has symptoms, so it is essential to detect it early through regular checkups. Regular gastroscopy is essential for early diagnosis. People over 40 years old must have a gastroscopy every two years during the national health checkup. Even if you are under 40 years old, if you have symptoms in your stomach, or if you have a family history or are asymptomatic but want to be screened for gastric cancer, it is recommended to have a gastroscopy.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Stomach Cancer

In order to prevent stomach cancer, you should change your eating habits of spicy and salty foods, charred foods, etc., and it is good to avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Also, if you have Helicobacter pylori, you should eradicate it in advance. Considering the genetic characteristics and risk incidence of Koreans, the impact of Helicobacter pylori is very significant.