Gastro and Liver Center

Featured Services from National Hospital: Gastro and Liver Center

Providing healthcare services focused on digestive and liver-related conditions. This service is supported by a team of doctors specialized in:

a. Endoscopy

b. Colonoscopy

c. Fibroscan

d. Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA)

What is Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a non-surgical procedure used to examine the internal organs using a device called an endoscope.

At National Hospital, we offer a new type of endoscopy called Capsule Endoscopy. This is a non-invasive diagnostic medical procedure used to examine the inside of the digestive tract, especially the small intestine—an area that is difficult to reach using traditional endoscopic procedures like gastroscopy and colonoscopy.

As the name suggests, this procedure involves swallowing a capsule that contains a miniature wireless camera, light source, battery, and radio transmitter.

What is Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy focused specifically on examining the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

The purposes of colonoscopy include:

1. Early detection of colon cancer
2. Detecting early signs of colorectal cancer
3. Diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease
4. Identifying infections, narrowing of the intestines, inflammation, and diverticulosis
5. Diagnosing causes of rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and chronic diarrhea
6. Diagnosing unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
7. Identifying causes of unexplained weight loss

Diseases detectable through colonoscopy:

• Colorectal cancer
• Colon polyps
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Internal hemorrhoids
• Causes of anal bleeding
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

What is Fibroscan?

Fibroscan is a procedure used to assess liver stiffness and fat accumulation in the liver.

The purpose of this examination is to assist in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring various chronic liver diseases, such as:

a. Chronic Hepatitis B and C

b. Fatty liver disease

c. Other liver diseases that can cause fibrosis

Fibroscan helps to:

• Detect the presence of fibrosis (scar tissue) in the liver
• Assess the severity of fibrosis
• Measure the level of liver fat (steatosis)
• Serve as an alternative to invasive liver biopsy

What is Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA)?

RFA is a minimally invasive medical procedure that uses heat energy to destroy abnormal or unwanted tissue in the body.

RFA is an important minimally invasive therapy tool, especially for destroying liver tumors (both primary and metastatic) in selected patients. Its use in other gastrointestinal areas is more specific, such as for Barrett’s Esophagus, or as a palliative option for certain types of bile duct or pancreatic cancer.

The decision to use RFA is always based on a comprehensive evaluation by a team of specialist doctors.

When is RFA necessary?

RFA for the Liver:

RFA is commonly used to treat liver tumors, such as:

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) – the most common type of primary liver cancer
• Liver Metastases – cancers that originated in other organs (e.g., colon, breast, lungs) and have spread to the liver
• Benign Liver Tumors

RFA for Other Gastrointestinal Areas:

1.Barrett’s Esophagus

In this case, RFA is used endoscopically to destroy abnormal esophageal lining that may lead to esophageal cancer.

2.Bile Duct Cancer

For inoperable bile duct cancer, RFA can be an alternative treatment, either endoscopically via ERCP or percutaneously.

3.Pancreatic Cancer

The goal of RFA in pancreatic cancer is to control local tumors or reduce pain in inoperable cases.

4.Gastrointestinal Bleeding

In certain cases, endoscopic RFA can be used to stop bleeding from vascular lesions in the stomach.