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MetroWest Medical Center offers an endoscopic service at both Framingham Union Hospital in Framingham and Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick. Our endoscopy suites are staffed by gastroenterologists, who perform colonoscopies, gastroscopies, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCP). Many of our procedures are done on an outpatient basis; some ERCP procedures require a hospital stay.
Endoscopy is a medical procedure that enables a physician to look at the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with a flexible instrument called an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tool that has its own lens and light source so doctors can view images on a video monitor. These procedures are used to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the GI tract, bile duct and pancreas, screen for diseases such as colorectal cancer, and remove foreign bodies.
Patients must have a referral from a physician before receiving endoscopic services at MetroWest. For more information on our services or a physician referral, please call 1-800-400-DOCS.
Our Services Include:
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is an examination of the lining of the colon (large intestine). Doctors use this procedure to obtain tissue samples for a biopsy, identify sites of bleeding in the colon, and remove polyps (abnormal growths in the colon lining that are usually benign).
Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy, also called an upper endoscopy, is an examination of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first portion of the small intestine). The procedure helps your doctor evaluate the symptoms of persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. It can also determine the cause of bleeding from the upper GI tract or to obtain small tissue samples for a biopsy.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is a special endoscopic procedure used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver. It is used primarily to diagnose and treat conditions of the bile ducts, including gallstones, inflammatory strictures (scars), leaks from trauma or surgery, and cancer. It also enables doctors to diagnose problems in the liver and pancreas. If the exam shows a gallstone or narrowing of a duct, a doctor can insert instruments into the scope to remove or relieve the obstruction.
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