Endoscopic submucosal dissection: advances and perspectives

Abstract

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a mini-invasive technique allowing to resect superficial lesions of the digestive tract and maintaining organ function. High technical expertise is required as well as a network approach with referring physicians, pathologists, radiologists, surgeons and oncologists. Rigorous selection of cases as well as endoscopic management of potential complications (hemorrhage, perforation) is mandatory. Therefore, ESD should preferably be performed in expert centers with high volumes of cases, in order to maintain competency and offer optimal patient's management. Most frequent indications in the Western world are early cancers of the esophagus, stomach and colon as well as non-non-lifting polyps and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).