WHAT ARE ENDOSCOPIES?
A GI physician performs endoscopic procedures using endoscopes or flexible tubes that when inserted in the digestive tract allow for inspection, biopsy and therapeutic interventions. Endoscopy may permit the detection of certain cancers, polyps or ulcers, or it may be used to determine the cause of bleeding in the digestive tract. Advanced endoscopic procedures may be used to diagnose and treat conditions of the liver, gallbladder or pancreas. Upper endoscopies examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, while lower endoscopies, or colonoscopies, examine the bottom portion of the colon.