Surgery has higher curative rates than endoscopic tumor removal in early colorectal cancers

This study investigated the efficiency of endoscopic methods for tumor removal in early colorectal cancers when compared to surgery. Researchers reported that surgery is associated with higher curative rates when compared to endoscopic tumor removal.

Surgical removal of the tumor is the standard treatment for colorectal cancer. However, methods like endoscopy mucosectomy (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are being considered as safe treatment options. Endoscopy involves a tube with a light, video camera, and other surgical instruments inserted through the anus into the colon. Endocscopic surgeries are less invasive than open surgery. Nonetheless, too little is known about these new and less aggressive methods. 

The objective of this study was to compare the different methods for tumor removal, surgery and EMR or ESD.

This study included information from 3 prior studies, including 768 patients who underwent endocscopy and 552 that underwent surgery.  Removal rates and complications between the different methods were investigated.

Endoscopy was 9% less likely to be curative than surgery. However, endocscopy showed a 7% lower complication rate compared to surgery.

This study determined that tumor removal by surgery is associated with higher curative removal rates, but higher complication rates.