Evidence-backed problemEarly gastric cancer (EGC) is increasingly managed by endoscopic resection (ER); however, lymph node metastasis (LNM), which occurs in approximately 5%-10% of cases, remains the key determinant for recommending additional gastrectomy. Current guideline-based strategies, including the eCura system, provide structured risk stratification but rely on categorical decision-making and may lead to overtreatment, as nearly 90% of patients undergoing additional surgery do not have LNM. Artificial intelligence (AI) has em…