endoscopic mucosal resection

A procedure that uses an endoscope to remove abnormal growths or tissue from the lining of the digestive tract without open surgery. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. The endoscope may be passed through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, or upper part of the small intestine, or it may be passed through the anus into the colon. Special tools are then inserted through the endoscope to remove the abnormal tissue, which will be checked under a microscope for signs of disease. Sometimes suction is used to remove the abnormal tissue, or a solution is injected around the abnormal tissue to separate it from other tissue before it is removed. Endoscopic mucosal resection may be used to help diagnose and treat early-stage cancers of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, or rectum. It may also be used to treat Barrett esophagus or other precancerous conditions of the digestive tract.