Mucosectomy

Mucosectomy (Latin-Greek made-up word, Latin mucosa - mucous membrane ; Greek ek - prefix from, out; tomein - cut; see ectomy ), also "Endoscopic Mucosa Resection" (EMR), is the removal of the mucous membrane of an organ . So z. B. in malignant tumors of the esophagus the disease can be cured if the tumor is detected at a very early stage (so-called carcinoma in situ (CIS) literally: "cancer on the spot"), d. H. the tumor does not yet grow beyond the mucous membrane. However, EMR is also viewed critically in esophageal carcinoma.

A further development of this procedure is called endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). In this case, the mucosal tumor can be removed 'en bloc' more often, which is important in view of the recognized principle of never cutting through a tumor. The ESD is used with success especially in early gastric cancer. However, the experience with this method is almost exclusively limited to Japanese expert centers. Mucous membranes in the human body are usually very regenerative. The smaller the wound area, the faster the cells of the mucous membrane growing in from the wound edges cover the defect. If no deeper tissue layers are injured, this procedure does not lead to any functional restrictions after healing.

Early gastric cancer

In Japan, early gastric cancer is of much greater importance than in Germany, as it is much more common there and - through screening strategies, among other things - the tumors are more often discovered at an early stage.

Early esophageal carcinoma

Endoscopic mucosal resection in early cancers of the esophagus has been used in Germany for several years. Adenocarcinomas, which are increasing in frequency, are particularly important here (Pech et al., 2007, GUT)

Vocal fold

A procedure known as mucosectomy is also used more frequently on the vocal folds .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Hölscher et al., 2007 Endoscopic mucosal resection for early squamous cell cancer of the esophagus - a dangerous game or standard treatment? Endoscopy 2007 39: 77-79; von Rahden and Stein, 2007, Endoscopy; von Rahden and Stein, 2007, German Medical Weekly; DeMeester, 2007, Gastrointest Endosc
2. ↑ Gotoda et al., 2005, Journal of Clinical Oncology ; Gotoda et al., 2007, Gastric Cancer

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