bmucosal resection (ESD) for gastric mucosal lesions, and the risk factors for pathological upgrading. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 314 patients diagnosed as gastric mucosal lesions receiving ESD. Patients were divided into atypical hyperplasia (AH) group (42 cases), low⁃grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) group (156 cases), high⁃grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) group (98 cases), or early gastric cancer (EGC) group (18 cases) according to preoperative biopsy pathological results. According to the coincidence between biopsy pathology and postoperative pathology, the patients were assigned to non⁃upgraded group or upgraded group. The pathological upgrading of different types of gastric mucosal lesions after surgery was statistically analyzed, and the risk factors for pathological upgrading were analyzed by employing multivariate Logistic regression model. Results The overall consistency rate between the results of biopsy pathology and pathological results after ESD was 51.27% (161/314), and the upgrading rate was 42.04% (132/314). The upgrading rate of the AH group was 61.90% (26/42), and the upgrading proportions to LGIN and HGIN were 50.00% (21/42) and 11.90% (5/42), respectively. The upgrading rate of the LGIN group was 43.59%, and the upgrading proportions to HGIN and EGC were 39.74% (62/156) and 3.85% (6/156), respectively; furthermore, 38.78% (38/98) of HGIN patients were upgraded to EGC. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis results revealed that redness and insect⁃like changes were independent risk factors for pathological upgrading after AH surgery (P<0.05), depressed lesion shape, lesion size >1.5 cm, number of biopsy only 1, mucosal nodular uplift were independent risk factors for postoperative pathological upgrading of LGIN (P<0.05); in addition, combined erosion/ulcer was an independent risk factor for postoperative pathological upgrading of HGIN (P<0.05). Conclusion There are some differences in pathological results of gastric mucosal lesions before and after ESD. When the lesions suggested as AH by biopsy have redness or insect⁃like changes, close follow⁃up or endoscopic resection is needed. When the lesions suggested as LGIN by biopsy exhibit the size >1.5 cm, single biopsy, mucosal nodular uplift and depressed shape exist, attention should be paid to the underestimated lesion, and endoscopic resection should be considered. When the biopsy pathology of the lesion with erosion/ulcer indicates HGIN, it is necessary to be alert to the possibility of pathological upgrading to gastric cancer. The size and invasion depth of the lesion should be comprehensively evaluated, and ESD or surgical treatment should be carefully selected.