Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital Introduces Advanced ESD Technique for Gentler Tumor Removal
Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital has expanded its gastroenterological treatment capabilities with the introduction of a modern endoscopic technique designed to remove certain tumors and suspicious lesions in a minimally invasive manner. The procedure, known as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), provides physicians with an advanced option for removing larger or more complex lesions from the gastrointestinal tract while potentially avoiding conventional surgery.
The technique has already been put into practice at the hospital, with approximately 30 ESD procedures performed so far. Its introduction represents an important development in the hospital’s gastroenterology services and gives selected patients access to a treatment approach that can allow lesions to be removed completely and in one piece.
The procedure is particularly valuable when a lesion is too large, too flat or positioned in a location where conventional endoscopic removal may not be appropriate. By using specialized endoscopic instruments, physicians can carefully separate the lesion from the underlying tissue and remove it without the need for an external surgical incision.
Advanced endoscopic treatment expands gastroenterology services
The addition of ESD complements the existing gastroenterological services at Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital. Modern endoscopic procedures have increasingly become an important part of gastrointestinal medicine because they can provide effective treatment while reducing the physical impact associated with traditional open or minimally invasive surgery.
Unlike conventional surgical procedures, ESD is performed through an endoscope inserted through the body’s natural openings. This means that, in appropriate cases, patients can avoid external incisions and the associated recovery requirements.
The technique is particularly relevant for patients with suspicious polyps, early-stage tumors and other abnormal tissue formations in the digestive tract. The ability to remove a lesion in a single piece can also be clinically important because the complete specimen can subsequently be examined by pathologists.For physicians, this can provide more comprehensive information about the lesion and help determine whether the removal was sufficient.
Specialized training in Tokyo
The introduction of the technique at Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital was supported by specialized training undertaken by Prof. Dr. med. Dr. hc Mathias Z. Strowski, MBA, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine III – Gastroenterology, Nephrology and Dialysis.
Prof. Strowski spent two weeks at the renowned NTT Medical Center in Tokyo, where he received intensive practical training in ESD. Japan has extensive experience with advanced endoscopic techniques, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors.
The training enabled Prof. Strowski to develop practical experience with the procedure and subsequently introduce that expertise into clinical care in Frankfurt (Oder).According to Strowski, the intensive training allowed him to practice the method extensively and apply the knowledge directly to patient treatment after returning to Germany.
The transfer of specialized medical expertise from international centers to regional hospitals can play an important role in expanding access to advanced treatment options. Patients may benefit from techniques that were previously available primarily at highly specialized centers.
A patient’s experience highlights the value of the technique
The benefits of the new procedure can be illustrated by the case of Ryszard Capala, who was diagnosed with a suspicious colon polyp during a follow-up examination at the Gastroenterology Medical Center in Frankfurt (Oder).Capala had already undergone surgery four years earlier in Dortmund to remove a colon tumor. The discovery of another suspicious lesion therefore required careful evaluation and appropriate treatment planning.
The newly identified polyp presented particular challenges because of its size and location. Conventional outpatient removal was not considered possible, so Capala was admitted to Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital for further treatment.Rather than requiring traditional surgical removal, physicians were able to use the newly introduced ESD technique to remove the polyp completely and in one piece.
For patients with suitable lesions, this approach can represent a significant treatment advantage. Removing the lesion in a single piece can help physicians achieve a more complete resection and provide a high-quality specimen for subsequent pathological assessment.
How ESD works
Endoscopic submucosal dissection is an advanced procedure that allows physicians to remove abnormal tissue from the gastrointestinal tract through an endoscope.The physician first identifies and carefully examines the lesion. Specialized instruments are then used to make an incision around the affected area. The tissue is subsequently separated from the deeper layers of the gastrointestinal wall.
The process requires a high level of technical expertise because the physician must carefully navigate the tissue layers while minimizing damage to surrounding structures.Once the lesion has been separated, it can be removed through the endoscope. In appropriate cases, the entire lesion can be retrieved as a single specimen.
This differs from some conventional endoscopic techniques in which a larger lesion may need to be removed in several pieces. A single-piece removal can be particularly useful when doctors need to assess the margins and other pathological characteristics of the lesion.Because ESD is technically demanding, specialized training and experience are essential. The Frankfurt (Oder) team’s investment in training therefore represents an important element in the successful introduction of the technique.
Minimally invasive approach
One of the key advantages of ESD is its minimally invasive nature.Traditional surgery for gastrointestinal tumors or large polyps can involve incisions, removal of affected sections of the digestive tract and longer recovery periods. While surgery remains necessary and appropriate for many patients, advanced endoscopic treatment can offer an alternative for carefully selected cases.
With ESD, the procedure is performed internally using an endoscope and specialized instruments. Patients can therefore potentially avoid the physical trauma associated with conventional surgical approaches.However, ESD is not appropriate for every tumor or polyp. Patient selection depends on several factors, including the size, location and characteristics of the lesion, as well as the physician’s assessment of whether endoscopic removal can be performed safely and effectively.
The availability of ESD at Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital adds another option to the range of treatments that gastroenterologists can consider when developing individualized care plans.
Coordinated outpatient and inpatient care
The new procedure is also part of a broader coordinated care model involving the Gastroenterology Medical Center in Frankfurt (Oder) and the hospital.The medical center primarily handles outpatient diagnostics and smaller procedures. When patients require more complex endoscopic interventions, such as ESD, treatment is transferred to the hospital’s inpatient department.
This division allows each facility to focus on the services best suited to its clinical setting while maintaining continuity of care.Patients can undergo initial examinations and diagnostic procedures in an outpatient environment before being referred to the hospital when a more complex intervention becomes necessary.
According to the hospital, this cooperation is designed to support seamless treatment, short waiting times and high-quality medical care.The model can also reduce unnecessary hospital stays by ensuring that patients who only need outpatient services can receive them without admission, while those requiring advanced procedures have access to the hospital’s specialist infrastructure.
Importance of multidisciplinary expertise
Complex gastrointestinal procedures require more than specialized equipment. They also depend on experienced physicians, trained nursing teams, anesthetic support and appropriate postoperative monitoring.The successful introduction of ESD therefore reflects an investment in clinical expertise as well as technology.
For Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital, the approximately 30 procedures performed to date provide an initial foundation of experience with the technique. Continued use of ESD can further strengthen the team’s familiarity with different types of gastrointestinal lesions and procedural situations.At the same time, every patient must be assessed individually to determine whether ESD is the appropriate treatment option.
Language support strengthens patient care
The case of Ryszard Capala also highlights the importance of communication between patients and healthcare professionals.Capala is exclusively Polish-speaking and received care from Prof. Strowski, who speaks fluent Polish. From the initial consultation through treatment and discharge, the patient was able to communicate directly in his native language.
Capala said he appreciated receiving competent care on an equal footing and, in particular, being comprehensively informed and supported in his own language.Effective communication is an important component of healthcare. Patients need to understand their diagnosis, treatment options, potential risks and follow-up requirements so they can participate meaningfully in decisions about their care.
Language barriers can make this more difficult. Providing consultations in a patient’s native language can improve understanding and help establish confidence between patients and medical teams.
Serving a region with strong Polish connections
Frankfurt (Oder) is located close to the Polish border, and the hospital serves patients with Polish backgrounds and connections to the neighboring country.Prof. Strowski noted that many of the hospital’s patients have Polish roots. According to him, consultations in a patient’s native language can create trust, improve understanding and contribute to better treatment outcomes.
To support this population, the chief physician offers a dedicated Polish-language consultation.This approach adds a patient-centered dimension to the hospital’s medical services. Advanced treatment technology is combined with communication support, helping patients feel informed and involved throughout their care.
Follow-up treatment continues on an outpatient basis
Following the successful ESD procedure, Capala’s further care is being provided on an outpatient basis at the Gastroenterology Medical Center in Frankfurt (Oder).The transition from hospital-based treatment to outpatient follow-up illustrates the coordinated structure between the two facilities.
After a complex procedure such as ESD, follow-up is important for monitoring recovery and reviewing the results of pathological examination. Depending on the individual case, physicians may also determine whether additional examinations or surveillance procedures are required.Maintaining communication between the hospital and outpatient medical center helps ensure that patients do not experience unnecessary gaps in care.
Expanding access to advanced gastrointestinal treatment
The introduction of ESD at Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital reflects a wider trend toward minimally invasive treatment in modern gastroenterology.As endoscopic technologies continue to develop, physicians are increasingly able to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal conditions without resorting to conventional surgery in selected cases.
Advanced procedures such as ESD require considerable expertise, but they can expand treatment options for patients with lesions that would otherwise present significant challenges.The experience gained through international training, combined with local clinical practice, allows hospitals such as Frankfurt (Oder) to bring specialized procedures closer to patients.
For individuals diagnosed with suspicious or complex gastrointestinal lesions, having access to advanced endoscopic treatment within their regional healthcare system can reduce the need to travel to distant specialist centers.
A step forward for Frankfurt (Oder) gastroenterology
The introduction of endoscopic submucosal dissection marks a significant development for gastroenterological care at Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital. With approximately 30 procedures already completed, the hospital has begun establishing practical experience with the advanced technique.
The training of Prof. Strowski at NTT Medical Center in Tokyo provided the foundation for bringing this specialized procedure to the hospital. The successful treatment of patients such as Ryszard Capala demonstrates how the technique can be incorporated into individualized clinical care.
The collaboration between the hospital and the Gastroenterology Medical Center further strengthens the overall treatment pathway by combining outpatient diagnostics and follow-up with hospital-based complex endoscopic procedures.At the same time, the hospital’s Polish-language consultation service demonstrates a commitment to accessible and patient-centered care for the region’s Polish-speaking population.
Overall, the adoption of ESD gives physicians at Frankfurt (Oder) another minimally invasive tool for managing selected gastrointestinal lesions. As the hospital continues to build experience with the technique, the approach could become an increasingly important component of its gastroenterology services, offering appropriately selected patients a less invasive alternative to conventional surgical treatment while maintaining a coordinated pathway from diagnosis and intervention through follow-up care.
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