Dr. Vu Truong Khanh, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, is a firm believer in the power of gastrointestinal endoscopy. He considers it to be the “gold standard” for examining, diagnosing, and intervening in diseases of the upper and lower digestive tracts.
Using a soft, small-diameter tube with a camera attached to it, doctors can closely observe and examine the organs of the digestive tract during this procedure. This method offers several advantages over other imaging techniques, including its ability to detect even the smallest lesions without missing any details.
One of the most significant advantages of gastrointestinal endoscopy is its ability to identify underlying causes for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain, unexplained weight loss, constipation, diarrhea, and black stools. By examining the intestinal mucosa, doctors can quickly determine these symptoms’ root cause and provide appropriate treatment options.
The procedure also enables minimally invasive biopsies that are crucial for identifying diseases like malignancies or rare conditions such as celiac disease. These biopsies can help doctors identify abnormalities early on and provide patients with timely treatments or interventions that may prevent complications or progression to more serious conditions like cancer.
In addition to diagnostic purposes, gastrointestinal endoscopy can also be used for treating certain conditions like biliary obstruction and performing early cancer screenings through procedures such as polypectomy. These procedures involve removing gallstones or identifying and removing polyps that may indicate an increased risk of developing cancer in later years. Early detection through these methods can help improve treatment outcomes by allowing for earlier intervention or prevention measures.
Dr. Khanh advises patients with gastrointestinal symptoms to seek early examination by a gastroenterology specialist before considering any treatments or interventions related to their condition.
In summary, gastrointestinal endoscopy is a powerful tool that allows doctors to closely observe organs in the digestive tract and perform minimally invasive biopsies to check for diseases while preventing complications and progressions to more serious conditions like cancer with regular screenings starting at age 40-50.
