Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) for Removal of Rectal Tumors

UCSF colorectal surgeons  offer a minimally invasive procedure called Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) for removal of rectal tumors including early stage rectal cancers.TEM is available only at a select group of instiutions nationwide. Previously, surgery to remove rectal tumors always required an abdominal incision. Now with TEM, certain types of early stage rectal cancers or benign rectal polyps may be removed using a minimally invasive procedure requiring no surgical incision. TEM is performed through the rectum with specially designed microsurgical instruments which can remove lesions high inside the rectum. These were previously accessible only with major abdominal surgery. With TEM, patients experience less pain, recover faster, and have shorter hospital stays.