BUFFALO MEDICAL GROUP P.C - KENMORE SATELLITE LOCATION

The Buffalo Medical Group provides its patients with several important gastrointestinal diagnostic tests to ensure early detection, prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases, many of which could be life-threatening, as in the case of cancer.

A colonoscopy is a test that enables the physician to examine the lining of the entire colon (large intestine) to detect the presence of polyps, sample tissue for biopsy, stop bleeding, and band internal hemorrhoids. Polyps are pre-cancerous growths that can become colon cancer if not removed. If polyps are found, they can be removed during the colonoscopy. This examination involves the use of a slim flexible tube with a lighted camera at the tip. This enables the physician to easily inspect, diagnose and treat many common lower GI disorders such as Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis, as well as polyps and cancerous lesions.

A screening colonoscopy is recommended for all people over 50 years of age, or earlier for those with a family history of colon cancer or polyps. It is used as a tool for early detection and removal of potentially cancerous polyps. Since there may not be any symptoms in the early stages of colon cancer, this exam is extremely important as a screening tool.

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is similar to a colonoscopy, but this examination is limited only to the rectum and lower (sigmoid) portion of the colon.

An EsophagoGastroDuodenoscopy (EGD) or gastroscopy, is performed using a slim flexible scope to visualize the entire upper portion of a patient's GI tract including the esophagus, the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). Tissue sampling (biopsy), dilation of a narrowing in the upper digestive tract, cauterization (burning) of areas of bleeding, and treatment of esophageal motility disorders can be performed. The most common reasons for performing this test are to diagnose or evaluate GERD (indigestion or reflux), Barrett's Esophagus, peptic ulcer disease, strictures (narrowing), swallowing disorders, hiatal hernias, gastritis, H. Pylori and Celiac Disease.