title: Endoscopic ablation therapy for gastrointestinal superficial neoplasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Japan, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) have been widely accepted and standardized for the treatment of gastrointestinal superficial neoplasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In contrast, mucosal ablation techniques are more common in Western countries and a variety of endoscopic ablation modalities, including argon plasma coagulation (APC), photodynamic therapy (PDT) and lasers, are used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recently developed modalities such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryotherapy are also available for the treatment of superficial lesions such as dysplasia of Barrett's esophagus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although we should understand that the completeness of destruction of neoplastic tissue can only be judged at follow up, endoscopic ablation is a viable alternative to endoscopic resection for dysplasia and early-stage malignancies, especially for poor candidates of surgery or endoscopic resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan. muguruma.clin.med@gmail.com
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muguruma
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kishi
authors.forename: Toshiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okahisa
authors.forename: Seisuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Tetsuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takayama
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D057908:Argon Plasma Coagulation / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005544:Forecasting; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*