Even After Undergoing Gastroscopy, Stomach Cancer? ... It Takes More Than 3 Minutes of Observation to Know

Joint Study by Samsung Seoul Hospital Gastroenterology and Health Medicine Headquarters
Analysis of 1,257 Cases... Stomach Observation Time Should Be '3 Minutes or More'

A study has found that the time medical staff spend observing the stomach during an upper endoscopy must be secured for 'at least 3 minutes' to effectively reduce the risk of actual cancer occurrence.

The research team led by Professors Kim Tae-jun and Lee Jun-haeng from the Department of Gastroenterology at Samsung Medical Center, along with Professor Pyo Jeong-ui from the Health Medicine Headquarters, recently analyzed 1,257 patients who received negative results for stomach cancer through upper endoscopy but were diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer within 6 months to 3 years after the endoscopy. They announced these findings on the 14th.

(This photo is not directly related to the article) [Photo by Getty Images Bank]

Upper endoscopy is known as an effective method for early detection of stomach cancer and reducing stomach cancer mortality. In South Korea, where the incidence of stomach cancer is high, upper endoscopy has been reported to reduce stomach cancer-related mortality by about 50% through early diagnosis. Accordingly, the government includes stomach cancer screening in the national cancer screening program and recommends that citizens aged 40 and above undergo the examination every two years.

However, cases of stomach cancer being detected in between regular upper endoscopy screenings have consistently occurred. Such cancers diagnosed after regular upper endoscopy are referred to as ‘interval stomach cancer.’

The research team analyzed predictive factors for advanced interval stomach cancer in patients who had negative stomach cancer results from endoscopy between 2005 and 2021 but were diagnosed with stomach cancer within 6 to 36 months. Variables such as age, gender, family history of stomach cancer, Helicobacter pylori infection status, and endoscopic findings were investigated. Subsequently, stomach observation time and endoscopy interval were included as quality indicators of endoscopy to analyze predictive factors for advanced interval stomach cancer.

As a result, a significant correlation was found between the risk of advanced interval stomach cancer and either a stomach observation time shorter than 3 minutes or an endoscopy interval exceeding 2 years. In other words, the actual stomach observation time during upper endoscopy should be ‘at least 3 minutes,’ and the total endoscopic observation time should be 4 to 5 minutes or longer to effectively predict the risk of advanced interval stomach cancer.

Professors Kim Tae-jun and Lee Jun-haeng (from left) of the Department of Gastroenterology at Samsung Medical Center, and Professor Pyo Jeong-ui of the Health Medicine Headquarters. [Photo by Samsung Medical Center]

Notably, one in four patients with advanced interval stomach cancer had Borrmann type IV stomach cancer, which has a high mortality rate. The cancer mortality rate associated with Borrmann type IV stomach cancer is 63%, more than twice the 26% mortality rate of other stomach cancers. Additionally, two out of three patients with advanced interval stomach cancer were female.

Professor Kim Tae-jun emphasized, “This study is significant in that it establishes ‘quality indicators’ for upper endoscopy in a country with a high risk of stomach cancer occurrence,” adding, “To reduce advanced interval stomach cancer, examiners must ensure sufficient stomach observation time and be well aware of the endoscopic features of Borrmann type IV stomach cancer.”

Meanwhile, this study was published in the latest issue of the international journal in the field of gastroenterology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.