Management of colorectal carcinoma 10 mm or less in size invading massively into the submucosal layer or deeper

This study was carried out to clarify the clinicopathologic features of small colorectal cancers 10 mm or less in size(CRCE10 mm) invading-massively into the submucosal layer or deeper, and to examine the usefulness of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for early carcinoma. A total of 55 cases of CRC≦10 mm invading massively into the submucosal layer or deeper were analyzed. The depth of invasion remained within the submucosal layer in 51 cases. There was no difference in terms of clinicopathologic characteristics between CRC≦10 mm and colorectal cancers 11 mm or larger (CRC≧11 mm) invading massively into the submucosal layer, except for lymphatic permeation of which the positive rate was higher in CRC≧11 mm. CRC≦10 mm invading massively into the submucosal layer or deeper may have the same malignant potential as CRC≧11 mm, so they should not be ignored. On the other hand, results of laparoscopic surgery in patients with early colorectal cancer were favorable. With improvements in technology and surgeon experience, laparoscopic surgery will eventually be extended to patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma.