A Case of Early Gastric Adenocarcinoma Resembling Subepithelial Tumor

ABSTRACT

Gastric cancer resembling subepithelial tumor is rare. It comprises approximately 0.5% of all resected gastric cancer cases. The features of gastric carcinoma resembling subepithelial tumor are erosion, erythema and central umbilication. Because only a small amount of cancerous tissue is present at the mucosal layer, differential diagnosis between subepithelial tumor and gastric cancer resembling subepithelial tumor is difficult. EUS is recommended to identify the origin and echogenicity of the lesion, characteristic features, and accurate size. We report a case of early gastric cancer misdiagnosed as a subepithelial tumor on the basis of standard endoscopy and EUS findings in a 63-year-old woman. The patient received endoscopic resection and additional surgical operation was performed to achieve complete resection.