An advanced polypectomy is a procedure to remove a large polyp in your bowel or polyps that are difficult to access.
Polyps develop when the cells in the bowel grow out of control forming a clump which gradually becomes more prominent within the inner lining of the bowel over time they can grow through the deeper layers of the bowel as malignant (cancer) cells. It is important they are removed if possible in one piece with a clear margin of normal tissue.
Most polyps can be removed at the time of a colonoscopy, except for the very smallest we use an advanced technique for removal called endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) because this is the safest method that enables the most complete removal.
It is difficult to tell with certainty if a polyp contains cancer cells unless it is completely removed and sent to the pathology laboratory and examined under a microscope, the processing time is at least 5 to 7 days.
Larger polyps or early cancers cannot be safely or adequately removed at colonoscopy, traditionally a major operation to resect the affected section of bowel was required.