What does the endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) procedure involve?

ESD is a minimally invasive endoscopic technique used to remove early-stage gastric cancer confined to the mucosal layer. Under sedation, a thin, flexible endoscope with a specialized knife is inserted through the mouth into the stomach. The surgeon carefully dissects the tumor and a margin of surrounding healthy tissue from the underlying submucosa, allowing en bloc removal for precise pathological evaluation. This avoids open surgery and preserves the stomach.