Pathologic outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric epithelial neoplasia

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely implemented for the treatment of gastric superficial neoplasia. However, the final pathologic diagnosis after ESD may be different from that indicated by the results of endoscopic forceps biopsy. This study identified risk factors for gastric epithelial lesions so that early gastric cancer (EGC) could be diagnosed after ESD. From December 2008 to January 2017, 1541 lesions (1410 patients) diagnosed as initial adenoma or indefinite for neoplasia by endoscopic forceps biopsy were enrolled. The EGC rate and factors predicting upstaged diagnoses were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnostic discrepancy rate was 31.1%. Upstaged and downstaged diagnostic rates after ESD were 23.8% and 7.3%, respectively. The upstaged diagnosis rate for EGC was 18.8%. Gross depression (OR, 16.017) and surface redness (OR, 22.136) were significantly associated with EGC and lesions indefinite for neoplasia during the initial endoscopic forceps biopsy. Central depression (OR, 2.959), nodular surface (OR, 6.581), and surface redness (OR, 6.399) were significantly associated with EGC and lesions with low-grade dysplasia during the initial endoscopic forceps biopsy. Central depression (OR, 1.999), nodular surface (OR, 1.733), surface redness (OR 2.283), lesion location (upper third of the stomach) (OR, 3.989), and tumor size ≥10 mm (OR, 2.200) were significantly associated with EGC and lesions with high-grade dysplasia during the initial endoscopic forceps biopsy. Central depression, nodular surface, surface redness, lesion location, and tumors >10 mm were associated with EGC. Gastric epithelial lesions with these characteristics require attention before ESD.