Endoscope Uses

Using a tube-like instrument known as an endoscope, doctors can view the inside of the body to better detect, diagnose and treat potentially life-threatening medical conditions. When detected early, many of these conditions are preventable or treatable. Learning more about endoscope uses and the advantages of procedures involving the instrument can help you make important health choices.

About Endoscopes

• An endoscope is a tube or scope used during a medical procedure known as an endoscopy to view the body's internal structures or organs. The scope may be flexible, stiff, hollow or contain a light source or camera. Doctors can insert an endoscope through an opening such as the mouth to view the esophagus, stomach or part of the small intestine; the anus to examine the rectum or large intestine; the vagina to view the uterus; or the urethra to see the bladder. An endoscope can vary from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter and from 1 to 6 feet in length.

Screening

• Doctors often use an endoscope to screen and prevent certain types of cancer. In a colonoscopy, an endoscope inserted into the anus, rectum and colon helps a doctor examine the intestinal lining for areas of irritation, inflammation and abnormal tissue growth. Abnormal growths often lead to colorectal cancer. However, if found and treated early, the five-year survival rate from the life-threatening condition is 90 percent, the American Cancer Society reports.

Diagnosis

• If you experience gastrointestinal bleeding, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, abdominal pain or changes in your bowel habits, your doctor may use an endoscope as part of an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to determine the cause of these symptoms. In these cases, the endoscope has a small clipper that allows doctors to take a tissue sample from a suspicious area and test it for cancer, inflammation or infection. Similarly, in a hysteroscopy, a procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the uterus, a doctor can take a tissue sample to determine the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Treatment

• Beyond screening and diagnosis, doctors often use an endoscope to treat certain conditions. A doctor can pass certain instruments through the endoscope, such as an electrical probe, to destroy or remove abnormal growths; a needle to administer drugs to stop bleeding in the esophagus; or a laser to burn off abnormal tissue. In cancer patients, doctors may also use an endoscope to alleviate blockages in the digestive tract or lungs, or to relieve pressure on the airways from a tumor.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

• A doctor may use an endoscope during minimally invasive surgery to treat certain conditions or to remove abnormal growths. During laparoscopy, a doctor makes a small cut in the abdomen and inserts an endoscope to better view the pelvic organs. She can then make additional cuts and insert and manipulate other instruments to treat conditions such as incontinence or endometriosis or to remove growths, including ovarian cysts or growths on the wall or outside of the uterus. During a thoracoscopy, a doctor makes up to three incisions in the chest wall to pass through an endoscope to help alleviate fluid accumulation or to take tissue samples. Benefits of minimally invasive surgery include faster recovery time, fewer complications and less pain.