An endoscopy offers an opportunity to collect tissue samples (biopsy) to test for diseases and conditions that may be causing anemia, bleeding, inflammation or diarrhea. It can also detect some cancers of the upper digestive system.
The main reasons for endoscopy are investigation, confirmation, and treatment. Endoscopy can be used to remove tumors or polyps from the digestive tract.
Normal Results
The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum should be smooth and of normal color. There should be no bleeding, growths, ulcers, or inflammation.
In addition to checking for stomach cancer, this biopsy can also tell whether H. pylori bacteria infection—a noncancerous disease—or another type of cancer called a lymphoma is present.
Even with an endoscope, it can be difficult to distinguish cancerous lesions from healthy or scarred stomach tissue. Ngamruengphong explains why: “When we perform a screening endoscopy, we don't see a large mass when cancer is present. Instead, we often see very small, very subtle lesions.”
A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your doctor examine your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine, called the duodenum. An upper endoscopy, also called an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, is a procedure used to visually examine your upper digestive system.
In most cases the endoscopist will be able to tell you the results straight after the test or, if you have been sedated, as soon as you are awake, and you will receive a copy of the endoscopy report to take home. However, if a sample (biopsy) has been taken for examination the results may take a few weeks.
A wale mark, red wale sign or wale sign is an endoscopic sign suggestive of recent hemorrhage, or propensity to bleed, seen in individuals with esophageal varices at the time of endoscopy. The mark has the appearance of a longitudinal red streak located on an esophageal varix.
–Four or more biopsies from the terminal ileum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon e rectum/sigmoid colon. –In case of non-diagnostic flexible sigmoidoscopy, an upper endoscopy should be performed with four or more biopsies from the gastric body, antrum and duodenum.
Endoscopies are performed for a variety of reasons. Stomach pain, ulcers, difficulty swallowing, constipation, unexplained bleeding, and other digestive tract issues could call for an endoscopy.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
This is a procedure that helps diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. It uses X-rays and a long, flexible, lighted tube (endoscope). The scope is put into your mouth and throat.
As the role of endoscopy in screening, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the most effective means of cancer detection of the pancreas, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is most useful of diagnosis tool for abnormalities of the common bile duct.
The endoscope helps your provider see inside your esophagus and stomach. Test results may not show problems when reflux is present, but an endoscopy may detect inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) or other complications.
Pseudomelanosis of the gastrointestinal tract manifests itself on endoscopy as discrete, flat, small, black spots in a speckled pattern on a flat mucosa and is associated with melanin, iron or lipofuscin uptake by macrophages in the subepithelial lamina propria often at the tips of villi.
Scattered white spots (SWSs) in the descending duodenum are an uncommon finding of upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy (UGSE). Intestinal lymphangiectasia, chronic nonspecific duodenitis and giardiasis are associated with a SWS appearance.
Fundic gland polyps are the most common stomach polyp. They occur in the fundus, or the upper portion of the stomach. When they are found during an endoscopy, there are usually several of them, and they appear as small, smooth flat bumps. These polyps rarely develop into cancer.
Many patients will not need a follow up visit after an endoscopy. If the doctor took any samples for a biopsy, it will take about 3-7 days to get these results from the lab. The doctor will contact you with the results and will determine if you need a follow up visit, depending on the findings during the examination.
You should get your biopsy results within 1 to 2 weeks, but it may take longer. The specialist doctor at the hospital might give you your results. Or you might see your GP. Waiting for results can make you anxious.
Your doctor may use a special lighted scope (endoscope) to get a close look at your throat during a procedure called endoscopy. A camera at the end of the endoscope transmits images to a video screen that your doctor watches for signs of abnormalities in your throat.
An upper endoscopy provides better detail than a CT scan or an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, which uses X-rays. However, there are some risks to consider. These include: If you had a biopsy as part of your procedure, you may experience bleeding at the site.
The person who performed your endoscopy (the endoscopist) is concerned that you may have an abnormality in either your oesophagus or stomach. What happens next? You need to have an urgent CT scan to help us assess your condition. Information about having a CT scan will be sent to you with the appointment letter.
You may not be able to feel the tumor because the mass of stomach cancer develops slowly. However, an abdominal mass related to a stomach tumor is most often felt during a routine physical exam by the doctor.