Abstract

Early gastric adenocarcinoma with the endoscopic features resembling a submucosal tumor is extremely rare and is characterized by erythema, central depression and erosion on the surface of the lesion, which can be distinguished from submucosal tumor. When a tumor is completely covered with normal mucosa, it is extremely difficult to obtain endoscopic biopsy specimens from the underlying lesion. EUS alone is not necessarily diagnostic. Various techniques have been advocated to overcome this problem, including US-guided biopsy, partial removal by an endoscopic snare excision, endoscopic mucosal resection as well as EUS with FNA. We encountered a case of an early gastric adenocarcinoma with well differentiation, presenting as a submucosal tumor. The early gastric adenocarcinoma was evaluated by endoscopy and EUS, and was confirmed by a surgical resection. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2007;35:250-253)

• Keywords: Gastric adenocarcinoma, Submucosal tumor