About the Treatment Method
Advanced Endoscopic Surgery
When a large mass is removed with EMR, since it does not fit into the snare, it is torn off piece by piece, which increases the risk of cancer cells remaining (recurrence). In the ESD technique, however, no matter how large the tumor is, it is plumped up by injecting fluid underneath and shaved with an electro-knife to be removed "in one piece" and completely. The cure (complete healing) rate is much higher.
Because it is a delicate and centimeter-by-centimeter advancing procedure requiring very high technical skill, it can take between 1 to 4 hours depending on the size of the tumor. It is applied under general anesthesia.
In an open surgery for a patient with early-stage cancer in their stomach or intestine, a large part (or all) of that organ is removed. Since the ESD procedure scrapes the cancer from the mucosal surface without cutting the organ, the patient does not experience stomach loss, their quality of life does not deteriorate, and the recovery process takes only a few days.
The information on this page is for general health advice. Please consult specialized physicians for personalized treatment or advice.
