| Theme |
Endoscopic Treatment for Elderly Patients with Gastro‒intestinal Cancer |
| Title |
Usefullness of Argon Plasma Coagulation Therapy for Early Esophageal Cancer |
| Author |
Satoshi Tanabe |
Research and Development Center for New Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Yo Kubota |
Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Kenji Ishido |
Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Takuya Wada |
Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Mizutomo Azuma |
Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Chikatoshi Katada |
Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Wasaburo Koizumi |
Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are widely used to endoscopically treat early esophageal cancer. However, EMR and ESD are often difficult to perform in patients with underlying diseases and elderly patients. Complications caused by ESD are a particularly important concern in high‒risk patients with underlying diseases such as liver cirrhosis, patients with renal failure who are receiving dialysis, and patients who are receiving antithrombotic therapy. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) performed with a contactless high‒frequency system allows patients with dementia who are difficult to treat in hospital settings to be treated on an outpatient basis. Treatment by APC can be performed in about 15 minutes, with no complications such as bleeding or perforation. Local recurrence has been reported to occur in about 10 % of patients, but can be managed by repeat APC. We consider APC an essential treatment option for an aging society. |