Purpose: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) techniques were evaluated in the treatment of flat and sessile colorectal neoplasm.
Patients and methods: Fifty-seven patients (32 female, 25 male) with non-polypoid colorectal lesions (n = 71, size >or= 10 mm) were included in the study. Tumor location, shape, size, and depth (in malignant lesions) were determined by endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound. EMR was performed using snare resection, endoscopic aspiration mucosectomy, or EMR using a cap-fitted endoscope.
Results: Lesion size ranged from 10 to 50 mm. Complete resection was achieved in 59 of 61 benign and 6 of 8 malignant tumors. Thirty-five tumors were excised in one segment and 34 tumors in piecemeal technique. Pathological examination of neoplasm treated by EMR showed adenoma in 61 and early-stage carcinoma in 8 cases. Because of the non-lifting sign, 2 of 71 tumors were not treated endoscopically and referred to surgical resection revealing a T2 adenocarcinoma in both cases. Resection was incomplete in 2 of 61 adenomas with histological positive resection margin. Complications occurred in 2 patients, with 1 bleeding treated endoscopically and 1 perforation treated by surgery. Local recurrence was observed in 2 of 59 completely resected adenomas and in none of 6 early-stage carcinomas during a mean follow-up of 18 months (range 6 to 30 months).
Conclusion: Advanced non-polypoid colorectal adenomas and early-stage carcinomas can be safely and effectively resected by endoscopic mucosal resection.