What is the recommended treatment for a gastric tumor that is confined to the mucosa?

The recommended treatment for a gastric tumor that is confined to the mucosa is endoscopic submucosal resection. This technique is minimally invasive and is appropriate for localized tumors that have not invaded deeper layers of the gastric wall. Since the tumor is still confined to the mucosa, endoscopic resection allows for the removal of the tumor with a good margin while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue and functioning of the stomach.

This approach reduces the recovery time and associated morbidity compared to more extensive surgical interventions and is particularly beneficial for patients with early-stage cancers. Ensuring complete excision of the tumor is crucial, and endoscopic submucosal resection provides an effective means of achieving this goal with a relatively low risk of complications.

The other treatment options involve more invasive procedures or modalities not typically indicated for superficial mucosal tumors. For instance, esophagogastrectomy and partial gastrectomy would involve removing significant portions of the stomach, which is unnecessary for a tumor limited to the mucosa and can lead to greater surgical risks and longer recovery times. Radiation therapy is typically not a first-line treatment for gastric tumors confined to the mucosa and is more often considered in cases requiring palliative care or for tumors that are not amenable to