GASTROENTEROLOGY

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Gastroenterology

Gastroenterologists at UMass Memorial Medical Center are skilled in caring for diseases of your digestive system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

You have access to our team of specialized doctors, nurses, technicians and other staff who are committed to improving your health and well-being through preventive care, cancer screening and education, which allows you to better understand the disease process.

Gastroenterology Procedures 

Our gastroenterologists are leaders in Central Massachusetts in performing diagnostic procedures such as:

  • Colonoscopy: This is the standard screening exam for detecting colorectal cancer and other diseases of the lower digestive tract. It allows doctors to look at the interior of your large intestine and helps detect polyps, tumors, ulcers, and inflammation of the rectum and colon.
  • Video capsule endoscopy: This painless and noninvasive approach may be used to examine your gastrointestinal tract. You swallow a disposable, miniature video camera contained in a capsule, which delivers high-quality color images while you continue normal daily activities. This state-of-the-art technology can diagnose conditions such as Crohns' disease, celiac disease, tumors, iron deficiency anemia and obscure bleeding.
  • Endoscopic ultrasound: This plays an important role in the management of upper gastrointestinal disorders of the esophagus, pancreas, stomach, lung and bile duct. With this technology our doctors can view various types of cancers, evaluate chronic pancreatitis, and study abnormalities of the bile duct and lesions in the intestinal wall.
  • Photodynamic laser therapy: A nonsurgical treatment of esophageal cancers and Barrett's esophagus, this therapy involves intravenous infusion of a photosensitive agent, which is retained in cells. Light from a laser is absorbed into the cells and produces oxygen radicals, which destroy the abnormal cells.
  • Double balloon enteroscopy: Also known as DBE, this procedure is performed with one of the few specialized scopes available in the United States. DBE allows the endoscopist to view your entire small intestine and obtain an endoscopic exam. More importantly, it allows your doctor to perform various procedures throughout the small intestine.