Is Abdominal Computed Tomography Mandatory in Long-term Follow-up of Early Gastric Cancer after Successful Endoscopic Resection? |
Hyung Wook Park, Bong Koo Kang, Byung Wook Kim, Joon Sung Kim, Chul Hyun Lim, Jin Il Kim |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. gastro@catholic.ac.kr |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of this study was to verify the necessity of follow-up abdominal CT after curative resection of early gastric cancer (EGC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed in three institutes of the Catholic University of Korea (Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital). Inclusion criteria were as follows; patients who underwent curative endoscopic resection of EGC from 2003 to 2006; curative resection and recurrence was confirmed histopathologically; abdominal CT was performed at the time of endoscopic resection and 5 years after the treatment. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty three patients were reviewed and 36 patients were compatible with the inclusion criteria. Additional endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed in 8 patients due to metachronous recurrence during the follow up period; surgery was performed in 2 patients due to other intra-abdominal organ malignancy; no specific events occurred in 26 patients. All the recurrences were found on gastroscopy and not on abdominal CT. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up abdominal CT after curative endoscopic resection of EGC has limited value to find metachronous recurrence. However, it can detect other intra-abdominal malignancies. |
Key Words:
Early gastric cancer; Endoscopic resection; Computed tomography |
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