Abstract
This study was performed to determine whether the introduction of transnasal endoscopy resulted in the change of the rate of gastric cancer detection in medical check-ups. The study subjects were individuals who underwent upper gastrointestinal examination by X-ray or endoscopy in the Health Center, Shimane Environment & Health Public Corporation in 15 years from 1996 to 2010. In the 7 years since the introduction of transnasal endoscopy, the rate of transnasal endoscopy usage has increased annually, reaching 67.5% in 2010. The rate of nasal bleeding was 6.8%, but no serious complications were noted. Transnasal endoscopy was abandoned at a rate of 1.6%. The rate of gastric cancer detection by transnasal endoscopy was similar to that by peroral endoscopy (0.225% vs. 0.258%). In addition, no significant differences between peroral endoscopy and transnasal endoscopy in terms of the site where gastric cancer was detected, macroscopic type, histological type, depth of invasion, treatment, and the false negative rate were noted. In the 8 years prior to the introduction of transnasal endoscopy, the rate of gastric cancer detection in all individuals screened was 0.180%. In the 7 years since its introduction, that rate increased to 0.213%. The increased rate of transnasal endoscopy usage may have influenced the increase in the rate of gastric cancer detection.
