Combination of endoscopic submucosal dissection and laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection in early mucinous gastric cancer: Role of lymph node metastasis

Sentinel Node Navigation Surgery for Early Gastric Cancer: A Narrative Review

Early gastric cancer (EGC) refers to malignant tumor lesions that are limited to the mucosa and submucosa layers, regardless of the presence of lymph node metastasis. Typically, EGC has a low rate of perigastric lymph node metastasis, and long-term survival outcomes are good after radical surgical treatment. The primary objective of surgical treatment for EGC is to achieve functional preservation while ensuring a radical cure. Sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) is a surgical technique used in the treatment of EGC. This approach achieves functional preservation by limiting lymph node dissection and performing restrictive gastrectomy guided by intraoperative negative sentinel node (SN) biopsy. Despite the apparent improvement in the detection rate of SN with the emergence of various tracing dyes and laparoscopic fluorescence systems, the oncological safety of SNNS remains a controversial research topic. SNNS, as a true form of stomach preservation surgery that enhances the quality of life, has become a topic of interest in the EGC field. In recent years, scholars from Japan and South Korea have conducted extensive research on the feasibility and safety of SNNS in the treatment of EGC. This article aims to provide reference choices for surgeons treating EGC by reviewing relevant research on SNNS for EGC in recent years.

Prediction of recurrence of early gastric carcinoma after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Background

The aim of this retrospective study was to predict the post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) recurrence risk of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) using a nomogram model, and to provide valuable evidence for preventing the recurrence.

Methods

The patients with EGC receiving ESD between March 2010 and February 2018 were enrolled. They were followed up once every three months after ESD. At the end of follow-up, they were assigned into recurrence and non-recurrence groups. The independent risk factors for post-ESD recurrence were identified using Cox regression analysis. A nomogram prediction model was established, and its predictive efficiency was assessed by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, number of positive lymph nodes >3 and a large amount of intraoperative hemorrhage were risk factors for post-ESD recurrence. According to multivariate Cox regression analysis, HP infection and number of positive lymph nodes >3 were independent predictors. The nomogram model had a good fitting effect, and the area under ROC curve was 0.933 (95% confidence interval: 0.919-0.947), suggesting a high predictive efficiency.

Conclusion

Positive lymph nodes and HP infection are closely correlated with the recurrence risk after ESD in EGC patients. The established model is a quantitative tool for predicting recurrence to improve the prognosis.

Choice of LECS Procedure for Benign and Malignant Gastric Tumors

Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) refers to the endoscopic dissection of the mucosal or submucosal layers with laparoscopic seromuscular resection. We recommend a treatment algorithm for the LECS procedure for gastric benign tumors according to the protruding type. In the exophytic type, endoscopic-assisted wedge resection can be performed. In the endophytic type, endoscopic-assisted wedge resection of the anterior wall is relatively easy to perform, and endoscopic-assisted transgastric resection, laparoscopic-assisted intragastric surgery, or single-incision intragastric resection in the posterior wall and esophagogastric junction (EG Jx) can be attempted. We propose an algorithm for the LECS procedure for early gastric cancer according to the tumor location. The endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) procedure can be adapted for all areas of the stomach, and single-incision ESD can be performed in the mid to high body and the EG Jx. In full-thickness gastric resection, laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection can be adapted for the entire area of the stomach, but it cannot be applied to the pyloric and EG Jx. In conclusion, surgeons need to select the LECS procedure according to tumor type, tumor location, the surgeon's individual experience, and the situation of the institution while also considering the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure.