The highest incidence of gastric cancer occurs in the East Asia (China

Korea

and Japan). The overall prognosis of gastric cancer is dismal. The average 5-year survival rate is less than 20%

and early gastric cancer (EGC) is often clinically silent. However

if the cancer is detected and endoscopically resected prior to invasion into the muscularis propria

the 5-year survival rate can reach 90%. Thus

the early detection of EGC is important. Image enhanced endoscopy (IEE) involves the use of dyes

optical methods (by manipulation of the light source)

and electronic methods (by manipulation of captured light)

to increase the contrast of surface structure

and thus improve visualization and diagnostic accuracy. Endoscopic resection using endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) technique or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is potentially curative for the patients without nodal metastasis

and can avoid the morbidity associated with gastrectomy. Thus it is important to strengthen the understanding and increase endoscopic skills of EGC to improve the diagnosis and treatment.