Doctors at KMC Hospital, Chengannur, have successfully treated a large rectal tumour in a 79-year-old patient using an advanced endoscopic technique, avoiding the need for conventional surgery.
The patient, who had multiple comorbidities and a history of nephrectomy, was diagnosed with a laterally spreading rectal tumour measuring 6.5 × 5 cm. Given the high surgical risk, the medical team opted for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), a minimally invasive procedure used to remove precancerous and early-stage cancerous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Anup S. Nair, Consultant Gastroenterologist at KMC Hospital. Using ESD, the lesion was lifted by injecting a solution beneath it and then carefully removed in a single piece with the help of a specialised electrocautery knife passed through an endoscope. This approach allows precise excision, enables accurate pathological evaluation, and significantly reduces the risk of recurrence while eliminating the need for major surgery.
The patient had an uneventful recovery with no post-procedure complications, highlighting the safety and effectiveness of the technique, particularly in elderly patients with complex medical histories.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection is a highly specialised procedure and is available at only a limited number of centres in Kerala and across India. The successful intervention underscores the growing role of advanced endoscopic therapies in managing complex gastrointestinal tumours and expanding minimally invasive treatment options for high-risk patients.
