Li Y, Wang K, Shi Y, et al. - In this investigation involving 40 patients, researchers compared the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the removal of early-stage esophageal squamous cancer wider than or equal to one half the circumference of the esophagus. Participants in the study were patients with early-stage esophageal cancer wider than or equal to one half its circumference and randomly assigned to an ESTD or ESD group for treatment of esophageal superficial squamous cell carcinoma. In the ESTD group, the dissection speed was significantly faster than in the ESD group. No significant differences were found in operating time, en bloc resection rates, or R0 resection rates between the ESTD and ESD group. In addition, no significant differences were noted in perforation, bleeding, or stenosis rates between the ESTD and ESD group. The authors concluded that ESTD and ESD were secure and effective therapies for early-stage esophageal cancer wider than or equal to one half the esophageal circumference.