Gastroenterology
The Gastroenterology Department diagnoses and treats diseases affecting the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. In addition to the medical treatment of diseases of the digestive system organs, endoscopic procedures are also performed in gastroenterology units. Imaging procedures of the bile ducts, pancreas, stomach, small and large intestines are also frequently performed for the purpose of diagnosing diseases.
The primary procedures performed in the gastroenterology department for both diagnosis and treatment include:
- Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasonography)
Endoscopy
One of the most common areas where endoscopy is used is gastroenterology clinics. Endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of different organs, especially the stomach, is checked out using advanced optical devices. This is done with a device called an endoscope, which has a light at the end to make sure everything is clear. Using this device, the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and large intestine can be clearly visualized, enabling definitive diagnoses of gastrointestinal system diseases. Additionally, during endoscopy, samples (biopsies) can be taken from diseased tissues observed and sent for pathological examination. During the procedure, samples can be taken from tumors and polyps to determine whether they are benign or malignant, or to investigate the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori, which causes gastritis and ulcers, especially in the stomach. While all imaging procedures performed with the aid of an endoscope are referred to as endoscopy, gastroenterology units offer different types of endoscopy, such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy, which are subcategories of endoscopy.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy, a subfield of endoscopy, is one of the most frequently performed endoscopic procedures in gastroenterology clinics. This procedure involves the visualization of the entire large intestine and the portion of the small intestine adjacent to the large intestine using a thin, flexible device with a camera at its tip. It is considered the most reliable method for the diagnosis of colon cancer. Additionally, this method can be used to diagnose and treat diseases affecting the area from the end of the small intestine to the large intestine, rectum, and anus. During diagnostic colonoscopic imaging procedures, if inflammatory areas, ulcers, polyps, or similar suspicious lesions are detected, a biopsy sample can be taken from the area and sent to a pathology laboratory for examination. Additionally, colon polyps, which are commonly found, can be removed during colonoscopy when deemed necessary. Even if there are no symptoms, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization recommend that individuals aged 50 and older undergo colonoscopy for screening purposes.
Who is eligible for a colonoscopy?
Black stools, rectal bleeding, and blood in the stool
In cases of unexplained abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation,
In the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal polyps,
In the follow-up of patients with a family history of colorectal cancer,
In cases of unexplained anemia,
In patients where blood is detected in the stool following a stool test,
In the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical stages of patients with intestinal cancer,
In investigating the cause of unexplained weight loss,
In the diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhoids (piles),
In patients with suspicious lesions detected as a result of imaging procedures performed on the intestine,
In patients with stool consistency that has been abnormal for an extended period,
In the monitoring and surgical treatment of individuals with chronic intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease,
Colonoscopy is utilized in routine check-ups, particularly for elderly patients, for both diagnostic purposes and, when necessary, during treatment.
Who is eligible for endoscopy?
In individuals who visit internal medicine and other clinics with complaints of stomach pain,
In patients who present with complaints such as heartburn, acid reflux, chest burning, nausea, persistent vomiting, fever, and fatigue,
Patients presenting with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and a sensation of food getting stuck while swallowing,
Individuals experiencing unexplained excessive weight loss,
Individuals experiencing anemia despite adequate and balanced nutrition,
In individuals with complaints of brown and bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and black stools,
In patients who have previously undergone gastrointestinal surgery and require follow-up,
In cases of prolonged, stubborn, and treatment-resistant constipation,
In patients who require a biopsy of suspicious lesions detected during imaging procedures such as ultrasound and tomography,
In patients who cannot be fed orally and are fed via a tube using procedures such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ), endoscopy is utilized for catheter placement and monitoring procedures.
