Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced endoscopic procedure that uses minimally invasive techniques to treat/remove precancerous and early mucosal cancers of the oesophagus, stomach and colon. 

Endoscopic resection of precancerous and early cancerous mucosal lesions of the gastrointestinal tract is a very effective treatment for select lesions and the technique can avoid more involved and invasive surgical operations.  

“Submucosal” refers to the tissue located under the lining of the GI tract (mucosa). Certain lesions can be difficult to remove completely with other endoscopic methods (EMR, polypectomy) and ESD can be the only method to effectively remove/ treat without an operation. 

ESD is a challenging endoscopic technique that requires further training and technical ability, and is therefore limited to only a small number of endoscopists.