Endoscopy
An endoscopy uses a scope that goes inside your body to take pictures or videos of organs and other structures. Healthcare providers use them to screen, diagnose and treat conditions. There are many types of endoscopy that view different organs. The most common types of endoscopy include colonoscopy, upper endoscopy and laparoscopy.
What does an endoscopy test for?
Healthcare providers use endoscopies to screen for conditions and diagnose diseases. A colonoscopy is probably the most well-known endoscopy used to screen for diseases. It’s used to detect colon cancer. One of the most well-known diagnostic uses of endoscopy is that it allows providers to remove abnormal tissue for lab testing. This is called a biopsy. Biopsies can show if growths are cancerous or noncancerous.
Advanced endoscopy techniques
Researchers and scientists continually develop new technologies to make endoscopies even less invasive. For example, a capsule endoscopy shows your organs up close without a scope. Instead, you swallow a vitamin-sized capsule with a camera inside. As the capsule travels through your esophagus, stomach and small intestine, it takes pictures that can help diagnose bleeding and tumors in your digestive system.