What is the purpose of a gastroscopy?

Doctor's Answers 2

Photo of Dr Jarrod Lee
Dr Jarrod Lee

Gastroenterologist

Gastroscopy is used to examine the organs of the upper digestive tract: the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (it's the first and shortest segment of the small intestine).

gastroscopy singapore

I perform gastroscopy for 3 groups of patients:

  1. Patients with symptoms that may be due to disorders of the upper digestive tract.

I use gastroscopy to examine the internal lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum for disorders. I may also obtain tissue biopsies to allow further examination of cellular structures under a microscope by a pathologist. This allows me to make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment.

The top 10 symptoms that I perform gastroscopy for include: upper abdominal discomfort or pain, ‘gastric symptoms’, ‘reflux symptoms’, heartburn, chest pain, bloating, belching, nausea and ‘indigestion’.

  1. Patients with increased risk of oesophageal and gastric cancer.

In these patients, I use gastroscopy to identify precancerous and cancerous changes. I will incorporate image enhanced endoscopy in the gastroscopy as the early changes may be difficult to see with routine gastroscopy.

Accurate detection of precancerous changes allows me to determine the patient’s cancer risk in the future, and to plan monitoring of these areas so that they may be removed before developing into cancer. Precancerous areas and even early cancers can be removed endoscopically with good results and safety, avoiding the need for surgery.

  1. Patients who need endoscopic treatments, in order to avoid surgery.

Emergencies such as internal bleeding and swallowed foreign body can be effectively treated through gastroscopy, and this can be life-saving.

Other examples of treatment I have performed through gastroscopy include: removal of precancerous areas and early cancers, bypassing or opening up of blocked passages, and insertion of feeding tubes for nutrition.

These procedures are usually performed by advanced endoscopists, and doctors like me undergo years of additional focused and sub-specialized training in endoscopy after we have become specialists.

Photo of Dr Wai Leong Quan
Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

Gastroscopy is a common upper digestive investigation method to diagnose conditions such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, oesophageal erosion and tumour in the stomach. It is the current investigation of choice for pain in the upper abdomen without other obvious reasons.

Bedside for diagnosis, gastroscopy is also commonly used to treat bleeding from the upper digestive tract caused by ulcers and abnormally dilated blood vessels. Polyps and other deeper layer growth in the stomach may also be removed through gastroscopy without the need for surgery.

In the case of advance tumour in the oesophagus or stomach, gastroscopy can be helpful in palliating a patient and allow oral diet by deploying a self-expanding metal stent to keep the digestive canal open.

-Dr Quan

Similar Questions

Could persistent burping and belching pose a serious health risk?

Belching or burping is a normal body response to get rid of excessive gaseous material in the upper digestive tract. This works somewhat similar to the pressure-relief-valve found on pressure cookers to let go of excessive pressure build-up. In general, belching helps to reduce discomfort from gaseous distension. However, if this happens too frequently, it can result in disturbing symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, painful or difficult swallowing, complications from acid burns might have developed in your oesophagus.

Photo of Dr Wai Leong Quan

Answered By

Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

When should I see a doctor regarding rectum bleeding if I’m worried about colon cancer?

If you truly have reasons to worry about having colon cancer, please do not delay any longer. It is a well-known fact that survival is best when colon cancers are detected early. If you are 50yr and above or having a significant family history of colon cancer or you have a past history of colon polyps, you automatically fall into a higher risk group for having colon cancer. So many have made the mistake of assuming a benign cause of bleeding just because one has a past history of haemorrhoids. Such assumptions may result in unnecessary delay in making the right diagnosis.

Photo of Dr Wai Leong Quan

Answered By

Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

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