FAQs

What is an endoscopy, how is it done, and why would I need one?

An endoscopy is a routine procedure in which a physician places a lighted tube-like instrument down a patient’s mouth to their esophagus and into their stomach. The instrument has a video camera for viewing the upper gastrointestinal tract with a high degree of precision. It can be used to take still pictures of abnormalities such as malignancies and ulcerations. Instuments passed thorough the tube can take specimen for further anaysis by pathologist or cultures. Other instruments such as snares or lasers can be used to treat abnormalities that are seen.

An endoscopy should be performed in anyone who has signs of serious underlying problems with their digestive track. Patients who are concerned should speak with their physician. In general, anyone with “Alarm symptoms or signs” should undergo endoscopy. This includes: any significant symptom persisting despite treatment, persistent vomiting, blood observed in vomit, difficulty swallowing, weight-loss, and black stools. If any of these symptoms occurs the patient should seek prompt medical attention.

What is an ulcer?

An ulceration of the stomach occurs when high levels of acids “eat” through the stomach lining causing “raw” or exposed cells. Stomach ulcerations usually result from an infection or from the use of aspirin or aspirin like medications. This infection, known as Helicobacter pylori, may also be the cause of cancers in the stomach. Patients with current or previous history of ulcers should be evaluated for this infection and treated. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motirn, Advil, etc.), naprosen and others are common causes of stomach ulcers and bleeding. Over a dozen types of NSAIDs are available. Over one hundred medications available without a prescription contain aspirin.

What is internal GI bleeding?

“Internal bleeding” is a phrase that is commonly used to describe bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. It may be a slight oozing of blood that cannot be recognized by visual inspection of the stool . In other patients internal bleeding is rapid and may become life threatening. Common causes of bleeding from the upper intestinal tract include ulcers, varicies and cancer. Bleeding occurs when an ulceration grows through the path of a blood vessel and blood is lost to the inside of the digestive track. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding may manifest itself as the passage of red or black stools. Cancers of the large intestine, infections, colitis, hemorroids and diverticulosis are common causes of internal bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract.

What is being done to combat Barrett’s, reflux, and esophageal cancer?

Many institutions worldwide are trying to fight the fastest-growing cancer. Research teams in pharmaceutical companies universities and private institutions are seeking better ways to diagnose and treat this disorder. Medications, lasers and heating devices are being used to destroy this tissue. Scientists at Drexel University College of Medicine are working with teams from other states to better understand the causes of this disorder. Our early findings suggest that a gene that normally suppresses the growth a of tumors become damaged early in the course of the development of nearly all reflux related cancers in the esophagus. If this observation can be further confirmed, it may have important implications for further diagnostic testing and treatments of this disorder. The help of patients who are willingly participate in research programs that we are doing will bring us closer to our hope of curing this precancerous condition.