1559 – Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

New MBS item.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) is a procedure to remove early-stage cancer and precancerous growths from the lining of the digestive tract. The submucosal cushion theoretically reduces the risk of thermal or mechanical injury to the underlying muscularis propria. EMR is performed with a long, narrow tube equipped with a light and video camera (endoscope). The Gastroenterologist inserts instruments through the endoscope to perform the procedure. EMR involves injection of a solution into the submucosal space to separate a mucosal lesion from the underlying muscularis propria. The lesion can then be resected by snare electrosurgery. EMR is usually done to treat a health condition. However, the Gastroenterologist may also collect samples of tissue during the procedure. Examination of this tissue can help determine if cancer has spread to tissues beneath the digestive tract lining.

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as large bowel cancer, is when malignant cancer cells grow in the wall of the large bowel. This includes the large intestine, and rectum, which are all part of the lower digestive tract. Cancers that affect the small bowel (or small intestine) are very rare.

CRC occurs when the cells of the large bowel lining begin to grow uncontrollably and turn into a collection of cells called a polyp or an adenoma. Most polyps are benign and are not malignant or cancerous. However, when polyps with pre-cancerous potential are undetected (and not removed early) they can become cancerous. Most bowel cancers originate from cancerous polyps that spread to other organs.

The most common type of bowel cancer is called an adenocarcinoma, named after the glandular cells in the lining of the bowel where the cancer first develops.

• PASC meeting: 11 April 2019
• ESC meeting: 13 February 2020
• MSAC meeting: 28 to 29 July 2020