Gastrointestinal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a procedure to remove early-stage cancer and precancerous growths from the lining of the digestive tract.

Endoscopic mucosal resection is performed with an endoscope, which is a long, narrow tube equipped with a light and video camera. During EMR of the upper digestive tract, the doctor passes this tube (endoscope) through your mouth into your esophagus, stomach or upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). To reach the colon, the doctor guides a scope up through the anus. The doctor then inserts instruments through the endoscope to perform the procedure.

In most situations, EMR is intended to treat and cure a growth whether it is benign, precancerous or early stage (superficial) cancer. EMR can also be used for precise and accurate staging of gastrointestinal cancers.  Examination of the tissue that is removed can help your doctor make a definitive diagnosis. For example, if you have cancer, EMR can help determine if the cancer has spread beneath the digestive tract lining, which would require a different method of treatment.