Smaller Size. Big Results.
28050 Grand River Ave.
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Phone: (248) 471-8000
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Phone: (248) 471-8000
Spring 2011
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Dr. Biederman discusses how endoscopy has changed GI care at Botsford Hospital.
Question: What is endoscopy?
Dr. Biederman: There are many endoscopy procedures, but each is used to get a closer look at a different part of the body. It involves an instrument called an endoscope, a flexible tube that is placed
inside the body, usually through the mouth or rectum. The endoscope has a small camera on the end that transmits a picture onto a computer monitor for the doctor to see.
Question: What is endoscopy used for?
Dr. Biederman: We use endoscopy to look at all areas of the GI tract, from the esophagus to the colon. And, we can use endoscopy for both diagnosis and treatment. For example, we can use endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to study the bile ducts or gallbladder. If we find stones in these organs, we can also use endoscopy to remove the stones. It also can be used to extract foreign bodies.
Question: How has endoscopy improved
diagnostics?
Dr. Biederman: One of the biggest benefits we’ve seen with endoscopy has been in diagnosing and preventing colon cancer. By using colonoscopy to look into the large intestine, we can find colon cancer at its earliest stages. And, during the colonoscopy, we can also remove polyps, abnormal growths in the
colon that can turn into cancer. Colorectal cancer is
the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.,
so it’s an important screening for everyone.
Question: What will the next advances in GI be?
Dr. Biederman: We’re moving toward using genetic
markers to better determine personal risk. For
example, in a few years, colonoscopy screening
may only be needed for those who have certain
genetic markers.
Question: How has endoscopy impacted
patient care at Botsford?
Dr. Biederman: One of the biggest benefits to
patients is that endoscopy allows us to treat many
conditions without surgery or with minimally invasive
techniques. Not only can we remove polyps and
stones with endoscopy, we can also use it to treat
bleeding in the GI tract. Gallbladder removal
only requires a small surgical incision. This
makes procedures much easier for patients
and reduces their recovery time.
Other Resources
Learn more about Endoscopy at Botsford