Status of Endoscopic Screening Strategies for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer

Abstract

Upper gastrointestinal tract cancer (UGIC), which includes both gastric and esophageal cancer, is a major threat to human health. Patients in the early stage have a significant chance to obtain a better prognosis, when compared to patients in the advanced stage. Improving the detection rate of early UGIC is important to improve the survival rate and prognosis. The endoscopic screening of UGIC includes opportunistic and population-based screening, and this has been carried out in a few regions. Compared to these two gastroscopy screening strategies, the early detection ability of opportunistic screening is no less than that for population-based screening, and the compliance of population-based participation is better. Considering economic factors, bundled opportunistic gastroscopy screening is cost-effective. Overall, the screening strategy for UGIC is limited by economic, medical and geographical factors, and the prospect of opportunistic screening is considerable.