Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD): A Minimally Invasive Approach
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive procedure that preserves organ function and is utilized for treating early-stage gastric cancer. This technique enables gastroenterologists to remove tumors in one complete piece by injecting fluid beneath the lesion and employing an electrosurgical knife to carefully separate the growth from the underlying stomach or intestinal muscle.
ESD is typically reserved for early stage gastric cancer confined to the superficial mucosa or submucosa (tissue layers that line major organs like the stomach and intestines) where there is a lower risk of it having spread to the lymph nodes.
Compared to traditional surgical gastrectomy or conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), ESD provides significant clinical benefits.
Advantages
Precise Pathology: ESD allows the surgeon to remove the lesion in one piece, regardless of size, allowing pathologists to accurately stage the cancer
Reduced Recurrence: By removing the entire lesion, it dramatically lowers the risk of local recurrence by roughly 80% compared to EMR.
Organ Preservation: It avoids the removal of part or all of the stomach, drastically reducing hospitalization times and preserving normal digestive function.
What to expect during your EMR procedure
The procedure is typically performed by an advanced endoscopic interventionalist on an outpatient basis under sedation and generally takes 1 to 3 hours. Most patients are able to return to normal activities or work within about five days.