We conducted this study to clarify the characteristics of cancer without lymphnode metastasis. Five hundred and three cases of early gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomywere histopathologically analized. The results were as follows: The indices of cancer without lymph nodes metastasis were 1)In type I, histologically differentiated type of mucosal cancer less than 40mm in size, or differentiated type of cancer less than 52mm in size invading the submucosa less than 4000μm in depth, 2)In type IIa or IIb, all of the differentiated mucosal cancer, 3) In type IIc without ulceration, all of the differentiated mucosal cancer, differentiatedtype of cancer invading su.bmucosa less than 1800μm in depth, or all of the undifferentiated type of mucosal cancer, 4) In type IIc associated with ulceration, differentiated type of mucosalcancer with the ulceration limited to the upper and middle third of submucosal layer, differentiated type of cancer with the ulceration limited to the upper and middle third of submucosal layer invading subrnucosa less than 1000μm in depth, or undifferentiated type of mucosal and submucosal cancer with the ulceration limited to the upper and middle third of submucosal layer. In conclusion, it was considered to be possible to expand the indications for endoscopicmucosal resection of early gastric cancer.
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