Medical Gastro

Diagnosis typically begins with a clinical evaluation followed by targeted tests: upper GI endoscopy or colonoscopy for structural evaluation, abdominal ultrasound or CT/MRI for imaging, and blood or stool tests such as liver function tests, H. pylori testing, and faecal calprotectin. At SRM Prime Hospital, all these investigations are available under one roof, allowing faster, more coordinated diagnosis for patients in Chennai.

GI cancer staging combines endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for locoregional tumour depth and lymph node assessment, cross-sectional imaging (CT or MRI) to check for spread to other organs, and tissue biopsy for histopathological confirmation. Tumour markers like CA 19-9 and AFP support staging for pancreatic, biliary, and liver cancers. This combined approach ensures the correct stage is identified before deciding on surgery, endoscopic therapy, or oncology referral.

Endoscopy (upper GI endoscopy or colonoscopy) is generally well tolerated, performed under mild sedation or a throat spray, with most patients experiencing only mild throat discomfort or bloating afterwards. The procedure itself takes 10–30 minutes, and patients can usually resume a normal diet within a few hours, with biopsy results typically available in 3–5 days.

FibroScan is a non-invasive test that measures liver stiffness to stage fibrosis and cirrhosis, and also estimates liver fat for fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH), without needles or sedation. For most patients, FibroScan removes the need for a liver biopsy; biopsy is reserved only for select cases where the diagnosis remains unclear.

Routine colorectal cancer screening is generally recommended from age 45–50, or earlier if there is a family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. A colonoscopy is also advised for symptoms such as rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, a persistent change in bowel habits, or abnormal stool test results like a positive FOBT or elevated faecal calprotectin.