Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) in the Treatment of Early Rectal Cancer

Early rectal cancer presents a significant clinical challenge, necessitating effective treatment modalities that ensure complete tumor removal while preserving rectal function. Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) has emerged as a promising technique in this context. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESD in the management of early rectal cancer, focusing on en bloc resection rates, complication incidence, and patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with early rectal cancer who underwent ESD between January 2020 and December 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed lesions confined to the mucosa or superficial submucosa, without evidence of lymphovascular invasion. Data collected included patient demographics, lesion characteristics, procedural details, and follow-up outcomes. Results: A total of 50 patients (mean age: 65 years; 60% male) were included. The average lesion size was 25 mm (range: 10–40 mm). En bloc resection was achieved in 48 cases (96%), with R0 resection confirmed in 45 cases (90%). Complications occurred in 5 patients (10%), including minor bleeding (4%) and perforation (6%), all managed conservatively. During a median follow-up of 24 months, no local recurrences were observed. Conclusions: ESD demonstrates high efficacy and acceptable safety in the treatment of early rectal cancer, offering a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical approaches. Its application should be considered in appropriately selected patients to optimize oncological outcomes while preserving quality of life [1] [2].

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
27. März 2025

• References

• 1 Endoscopic submucosal dissection for colorectal lesions: outcomes from a Western center. (2021, January 1). In Surgical Endoscopy. Retrieved from
• 2 Long-term prognosis of curative endoscopic submucosal dissection for early colorectal cancer according to submucosal invasion: a multicenter cohort study. (2022, September 13). In BMC Gastroenterology. Retrieved from