Endoscopic resection of the gastric mucosa (ERCP) is an endoscopic procedure used to remove precancerous or early—stage cancerous lesions of the gastric mucosa.
ERCP is indicated for the treatment of the following gastric lesions:
- High grade dysplasia (precancerous condition)
- Early stage gastric cancer (T1a, limited by the mucous membrane)
- Granular tumors
FGM is performed using an endoscope, a thin flexible tube with a camera and instruments at the end. The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and takes from 30 to 60 minutes.
During ERCP, the endoscope is inserted through the mouth into the stomach. The affected tissue is then captured by a special device and removed using an electrosurgical knife or laser. The removed tissue is sent for a pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis.
ERCJ has the following advantages:
- Minimally invasive procedure with low risk of complications
- It can be performed on an outpatient basis without the need for hospitalization.
- It preserves the stomach and avoids more invasive surgical procedures.
- High success rates in the treatment of precancerous and early stages of stomach cancer
Complications after ERCP are rare, but may include:
- The bleeding
- Perforation (rupture) of the stomach wall
- Infection
- Narrowing of the lumen of the stomach
After ERCP, patients can usually return to their normal activities within a few days. They may be recommended a special diet for a short time and prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.
ERCP is an effective method of treating precancerous and early stages of stomach cancer. Studies have shown that ERCP has high success rates in treating these lesions and can prevent the development of invasive gastric cancer.
It is important to note that ERCP is not suitable for all cases of stomach cancer. For more advanced stages of the disease, surgery or other treatment methods may be required.
