EARLY GASTRIC CANCER ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFUSE SUBMUCOSAL HETEROTOPIC GASTRIC GLANDS TREATED BY ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION:REPORT OF A CASE

Abstract

Diffuse submucosal heterotopic gastric glands are a rare disorder which appears in a few percent of resected stomachs. This entity is recognized as a paracancerous lesion which frequently accompanies gastric cancer, especially multiple gastric cancers on the mucosal surface. We report herein on a case of early gastric cancer associated with diffuse submucosal heterotopic gastric glands treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection. In the case of gastric cancer which exists above multiple submucosal cysts resulting from cystic dilatation of the heterotopic gastric glands, endoscopic diagnosis of the cancer form and depth of invasion is influenced by the submucosal cysts. Endoscopic ultrasonography is effective to evaluate the lesion in such a case. Careful observation is needed after endoscopic resection of gastric cancer associated with diffuse submucosal heterotopic gastric glands because of the possibility of multiple gastric cancers.