Endoscopic resection as local treatment of mucosal cancer of the esophagus.

Limited surgery is indicated for mucosal cancer of the esophagus without lymph node metastasis. Esophagectomy without thoracotomy and endoscopic resection are carried out as the operative modalities of reduced surgery. Mucosal cancer less than 3 cm in size without any nodal involvement is suitable for endoscopic resection. The maneuver of endoscopic resection of esophageal cancer is carried out as follows; a transparent covering tube with a small channel for electric snare forceps is used, a forward-viewing endoscopic is inserted inside the covering tube, the grasping forceps of the mucosa is inserted through the working channel of the endoscope, the mucosa is grasped by forceps through the opening of snare forceps, and is snared and resected by electric cauterization. The maneuver is repeated. No postoperative complication has ever been experienced. The mechanically induced ulcer down to the submucosal layer heals within a month.