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The sentinel node (SN) is defined as the first draining node from the primary lesion and it has proven to be a good indicator of the metastatic status of regional lymph nodes in solid tumors. In the past 5 years, the validity of SN concept for gastric cancer has been demonstrated by a number of single institutional studies. Using a dual tracer method as the optimal procedure, the radio-guided method allows us to confirm the complete harvest of SNs by gamma probing, while the dye procedure enables us to perform real time observation of the lymphatic vessels. From previous reports, clinically staged T1N0 gastric cancer seems to be a good entity on which to try to change the therapeutic approach based on SN biopsy. At present, two large scale prospective multicenter trials are on-going in Japan. To overcome some remaining issues, such as limited sensitivity of intra-operative diagnosis of metastasis, and technical difficulty in laparoscopic SN detection, further technical and instrumental developments will be required. During this transitional phase, focused lymph node dissection targeted to sentinel lymphatic basins and modified resection of the stomach is an acceptable approach. Although there are several remaining issues, SN navigation should provide a paradigm shift for the surgical management of early gastric cancer in near future.

This report describes an original laparoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer with curative intent. After laparoscopic exposure of the gastric wall around a cancerous lesion, a small metal rod is introduced into the stomach at the vicinity of the lesion through a catheter which pierces the abdominal wall and the exposed gastric wall. While the cancerous lesion is lifted up precisely with the support of the metal rod, wedge resection of the stomach is carried out using an endoscopic stapling device. This procedure results in complete local resection of the lesion with a sufficient surgical margin. We have applied this method to 6 patients with mucosal gastric cancer. Postoperative courses were all uneventful, and the histology revealed they were curative resections. Provided the indication is selected properly, it could be a curative and minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer.

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