Differences in endoscopic classification of early colorectal carcinoma between China and Japan: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the differences in the endoscopic classification of early colorectal carcinoma (CRC) between Japan and China.


METHODS
Ten cases of early CRC were included in the study. After reviewing the color pictures of these cases, 5 Japanese endoscopists and 5 Chinese endoscopists made their classificatory diagnosis individually using the current Japanese classification, and indicated their findings on which the diagnosis was based.


RESULTS
Some lesions diagnosed by the Japanese endoscopists as IIa or IIa plus IIc, were classified as Is or Isp by the Chinese endoscopists. For superficial lesions consisting of elevation plus central depression, IIa plus depression, IIa plus IIc or IIc plus IIa were classified according to the ratio of elevated area/depressed area. However, international as well as interobserver difference still existed in the classification of such lesions. In addition, most Chinese endoscopists overlooked slightly depressed part on the top of a protruded lesion. Laterally spreading tumor, a special type of IIa, was identified as LST by some Japanese endoscopists.


CONCLUSIONS
Discrepancies on macroscopic classification for early CRC do exist between Japanese and Chinese endoscopists, which are found not only in terminology but also in recognition of some lesions. In order to develop a universal classification, it needs for international communication and cooperation.
Zhu
Ren-Min
RM
Department of Gastroenterology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China. wangf65@yahoo.com
Wang
Fang-Yu
FY
Hirata
Ichiro
I
Katsu
Ken-Ichi
K
Xiao
Shu-Dong
SD
Yu
Zhong-Lin
ZL
Zhang
Zhi-Hong
ZH
Xu
Zhao-Min
ZM
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002681:China; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan