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Utilized most importantly for colon cancer diagnosis and prevention, these procedures are currently recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology as among the most important methods to find and remove pre-cancerous polyps.

Standard endoscopy is also used to evaluate a multitude of symptoms, including but not limited to diarrhea, abdominal pain, & gastrointestinal bleeding.

Open Access

Open Access is ideal for busy, healthy patients who are medically stable and not in need of specific gastroenterology care other than a preventive screening exam for colorectal cancer (CRC). In many cases a consultation appointment prior to the procedure is not necessary.

The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) colorectal cancer screening guidelines recommend CRC screening for both men and women (with no family history of CRC or polyps) starting at age 45 in African Americans and 50 in non-African Americans. If there is a family history of CRC or colon polyps, it is recommended to start screening earlier, often at age 40. If you have a family history of CRC or polyps and are not sure when to start screening, contact your healthcare provider or Digestive Healthcare to help determine the appropriate age for your initial colonoscopy. Because this is an ACG recommendation, most insurance companies cover screening colonoscopy.

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Standard endoscopy is used to evaluate a multitude of symptoms, including but not limited to abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, reflux disease, swallowing difficulty, and anemia. An EGD is also used for diagnosis and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus.

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This method allows for the visualization of the entire small bowel, from the duodenum to the end of the ileum. Utilized primarily for iron deficiency anemia evaluations when chronic blood loss is suspected, this procedure can also be useful for evaluation of chronic diarrhea, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease or abnormalities on a CT scan or other imaging.

Digestive Healthcare uses an updated Given Diagnostic Imaging System with advanced imaging capability and tracking through the small bowel. In addition to advanced equipment, we have several physicians who are especially skilled at interpreting the images, particularly in the context of small bowel mucosal diseases (Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, etc).

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This procedure is utilized to evaluate both luminal (inside the GI tract) and extra luminal (outside the GI tract) processes where the disease or abnormality cannot be seen or evaluated by mucosal biopsy. The procedure makes it possible to define individual wall layers of the GI tract to stage the depth of cancers or to define the layer in which a certain growth begins. If there are concerning lymph nodes or masses outside the GI tract, we are able to take a small needle and precisely target the area of interest to obtain a diagnosis.

These attributes make this modality very important in the staging and management of esophageal, pancreatic and rectal cancers. We have also utilized this procedure for the evaluation of breast and lung cancers, lymphomas and other growths discovered during routine endoscopy or by other modes of imaging.

Currently, we are the largest provider of endoscopic ultrasound services to the Triangle community, and three of our physicians have undergone advanced post-fellowship training in the use of this advanced diagnostic modality. Digestive Healthcare’s Dr. Patel leads this sub-specialized group, having developed the Endoscopic Ultrasound Program from its inception at Rex Hospital. The entire DHC physician group provides a wealth of experience, assisting in cancer diagnosis and management from the GI perspective.

Diagnosis/Staging of cancers such as gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, lung.

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Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is utilized to diagnose and treat disorders such as bile duct stones, bile duct leak post surgery and biliary strictures, in addition to providing diagnostic and palliative therapy in pancreatic and biliary cancers. During this procedure, the physician is able to perform endoluminal stenting for strictures and stenoses, if indicated.

Our physicians have advanced and post-fellowship ERCP training. The diagnostic ability includes the option of using intraductal endoscopic ultrasound to allow for better visualization of the ductal wall structure and deeper tissue, especially in cases of pancreatic-biliary cancer evaluation.

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A longer endoscope is introduced either through the mouth or anus, and guided into the small bowel. It is advanced through manipulation of the scope and, at times, with a balloon on the scope. This procedure can be a therapeutic maneuver aimed at addressing gastrointestinal bleeding sources in the small bowel, or it may be used in the diagnosis of mass lesions or cancers.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. Flexible sigmoidoscopy can detect inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, and ulcers. The procedure is used to look for early signs of cancer and can help doctors diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. Flexible sigmoidoscopy enables the doctor to see only the sigmoid colon, whereas colonoscopy allows the doctor to see the entire colon. Colonoscopy is the preferred screening method for cancers of the colon and rectum; however, to prepare for and perform a flexible sigmoidoscopy usually requires less time.

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This procedure is often used as an adjunct to oncology management of head and neck cancers to provide needed nutrition during radiation and chemotherapy. Additional uses include temporary adjunct for nutritional therapy during extended hospitalizations and recovery, as well as palliative use during end of life. A feeding tube is placed endoscopically from the stomach to the abdominal wall allowing for liquid food to be administered by the patient or caregiver.

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We offer Remicade treatments at our Main campus office. It is given via an IV infusion. Remicade is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. It is also indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inducing and maintaining clinical remission and mucosal healing, and eliminating corticosteroid use in adult patients with moderately to severely active Ulcerative Colitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.

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We perform breath testing, when indicated, to diagnose lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, and bacterial overgrowth. Each of these issues can cause digestive problems including bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. A breath test to check for the presence of Helicobacter Pylori in the stomach is also available in the office. H. Pylori is a bacteria that, if left untreated, could lead to ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining, which could potentially result in gastric cancer.

Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) has become a safe and effective method of treatment for recurrent and severe Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI).  The cause of CDI mainly stems from an imbalance of bacteria in the gut, which sometimes antibiotics cannot restore.  FMT allows for restoration of the normal gut bacteria balance that keeps the infection from coming back. The procedure is done via an outpatient colonoscopy, where a carefully screened donor specimen, provided by our partners at OpenBiome, is instilled in the colon. Symptoms typically improved rapidly, and cure rates range from 85-95%. As the disease is becoming more prevalent in the community, FMT has provided an effective method of treatment for those not responding to traditional therapy. 

• Bravo pH capsule for reflux disease
• 24-hour pH/impedance testing for reflux disease
• Esophageal manometry
• Endoluminal stenting for strictures and stenoses