Balloon enteroscopy is a procedure used to examine the small intestine using a flexible tube with an inflatable balloon. It helps diagnose conditions like bleeding, tumors, or inflammation and allows for tissue sample collection or polyp removal. The procedure can be performed via the mouth or anus, depending on the area being examined.

Cancer screening involves tests like colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies to check for polyps and abnormal areas in the colon and rectum. Surgery, often a colectomy (removal of part of the colon), is the primary treatment for bowel cancer, and may be accompanied by other therapies like chemotherapy or radiation.

Capsule endoscopy lets your doctor examine your small intestine by swallowing a small video capsule that captures images as it moves through your body. These images are sent to a recorder worn around your waist for later analysis. The procedure is done at the Eastwood Head Office, where you will swallow the capsule and be fitted with a monitoring device, which you will return afterward for disconnection. Most patients find it comfortable.

A Colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine or inspect the bowel and allows for a variety of operations to be carried out through the colonoscope. These operations may include taking small tissue samples (biopsy) and the removal of polyps (a benign wart-like growth). Although considered the best test for detecting polyps and colon cancer, it is by no means ‘perfect’. Bowel polyps may not be seen if located behind a fold or obscured because of poor bowel preparation.

Dietetic applies nutrition principles to promote health and manage diseases. A dietetic review assesses dietary habits, nutritional needs, and health conditions, providing personalized meal plans and supporting the management of issues like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Dietitians use evidence-based strategies to improve health and prevent nutrition-related diseases.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove abnormal tissue or tumors from the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. It involves using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera, to guide the removal of the tissue through the mouth or anus. EMR is commonly used for treating early-stage cancers or precancerous lesions in areas such as the esophagus, stomach, or colon, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is a specialized technique used to study the ducts (drainage routes into the bowel) of the gallbladder, pancreas, and liver. The ones that drain the liver and gallbladder are called bile or biliary ducts, while the pancreatic duct drains the pancreas. The bile and pancreatic ducts join just before they drain into the upper bowel, this opening is called the papilla.

An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is where the doctor uses an instrument called an endoscope, which has an ultrasound probe at its tip to examine the wall layers (inside and outside) of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. It also provides pictures of your pancreas, bile ducts, liver ducts and lymph nodes sitting adjacent to your gastrointestinal tract.

An endoscopy involves the use of a flexible tube (9mm in diameter) to examine the upper intestinal tract including the oesophagus, stomach and proximal duodenum. The procedure is commonly undertaken if your doctor suspects that you have inflammation of the oesophagus (the pipe which connects the throat to the stomach), an ulcer or other abnormality of the oesophagus, stomach or proximal duodenum. It allows the specialist a full colour inspection of the area, where biopsies can be taken for further tests.

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is like a colonoscopy; however, it only allows the inspection of the lining of the rectum, anus, stopping at the lower part of the colon. If your specialist sees an area that needs further evaluation, a biopsy may be taken to be analyzed even if they don’t suspect cancer. If any polyps (wart-like growth) are found, your specialist may take a biopsy, remove them or organise a colonoscopy to further examine the entire colon.

General hepatology focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of liver diseases. This includes conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer. Hepatologists specialize in understanding liver function, diagnosing liver disorders, and providing treatments like medications, lifestyle changes, or liver transplants.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe two main diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which cause inflammation of the bowel. This inflammation is thought to be due to an imbalance of the immune system, and is not due to an infection.

Oesophageal motility refers to the movement and function of the muscles in the oesophagus, which help push food from the mouth to the stomach. Disorders in oesophageal motility can lead to conditions like dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), heartburn, or acid reflux. Tests such as oesophageal manometry are used to assess the function and pressure of the oesophagus to diagnose motility issues.

The SpyGlass procedure is a specialized endoscopic technique used in conjunction with ERCP for direct visualization and management of complex biliary and pancreatic duct disorders.

Upper GI cancer screening and surgery in Australia focuses on the early detection and treatment of cancers affecting the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine. While there’s no universal screening test for all upper GI cancers, endoscopies and other imaging tests are used to diagnose and stage the disease. Surgery, along with other therapies like chemotherapy and radiation, is a common treatment option for upper GI cancers.