Upper endoscopy allows to examine the upper part lining of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). A thin, flexible tube with its own lens and light source, called an endoscope, is used and displays images on a video monitor.
This technique can be used to obtain a biopsy (small samples of tissue), and thus distinguish between benign and malignant (cancerous) tissues. It is also used to treat conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract, since instruments can be passed through the endoscope to directly treat numerous abnormalities with little or no discomfort. For example, you can dilate or widen a narrowed area, remove polyps (usually benign growths), or treat bleeding.
Frequent uses of this procedure: