Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look directly inside the digestive tract. Gastroscopy examines the esophagus, stomach and upper bowel; colonoscopy examines the large bowel. It investigates digestive symptoms, screens for and detects cancer, takes biopsies and can treat some problems — such as removing polyps — during the same examination.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Endoscopy lets a doctor see inside the digestive tract directly, rather than relying on scans alone. In an upper endoscopy (gastroscopy), a thin tube is passed through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine — useful for investigating reflux, indigestion, swallowing problems, benign and malignant ulcers, and digestive bleeding. In a colonoscopy, the tube is passed through the back passage to examine the entire large bowel, used to investigate bowel symptoms and to screen for and prevent bowel cancer.
A major advantage is that endoscopy is both diagnostic and therapeutic. The doctor can take small tissue samples (biopsies) for the laboratory, and can treat certain findings during the same procedure — removing polyps (which can prevent bowel cancer), stopping bleeding, or stretching a narrowing. Most procedures are done with sedation to keep you comfortable, and a colonoscopy requires bowel-cleansing preparation beforehand so the lining can be seen clearly.
Endoscopy is well suited to international patients as a day case, and is often part of a check-up or the work-up of digestive symptoms. The coordinator arranges the procedure and any sedation, and explains the preparation, and our specialists can review your history and any prior reports remotely to plan the right examination.
Who is a candidate?
- People with persistent digestive symptoms such as reflux, indigestion, difficulty swallowing or abdominal pain
- Those with bowel symptoms, a change in bowel habit, or bleeding needing investigation
- Patients due for bowel-cancer screening or surveillance, or with a relevant family history
- People with anemia or unexplained weight loss that warrants looking inside the digestive tract
- Those who need a biopsy, polyp removal or another endoscopic treatment
What happens
- 1
Assessment and preparation
Your symptoms and history determine which examination you need. For a colonoscopy, you follow bowel-cleansing preparation beforehand; for a gastroscopy, you fast for a few hours.
- 2
Sedation or throat spray
Most procedures are done with light sedation to keep you comfortable and relaxed; a gastroscopy may instead use a numbing throat spray. You are usually awake but at ease.
- 3
The examination
The doctor gently passes the thin, flexible scope to examine the lining on a screen, taking biopsies and treating findings — such as removing polyps — during the same procedure where needed.
- 4
Recovery
You rest in recovery until any sedation wears off, then go home the same day. With sedation, you should not drive that day and may want someone with you.
- 5
Results and follow-up
Initial findings are usually explained the same day, with biopsy results to follow. International patients receive a clear report and any recommended next steps or surveillance plan.
Benefits
- Looks directly inside the digestive tract for a precise diagnosis
- Both diagnostic and therapeutic — biopsies and treatments in the same procedure
- Colonoscopy can prevent bowel cancer by removing polyps before they become harmful
- A day-case procedure, usually with sedation for comfort and no overnight stay
- A key part of digestive symptom work-up and of comprehensive check-ups
Risks & considerations
- A bloated or crampy feeling, or a mild sore throat, that settles quickly afterwards
- Drowsiness from sedation, meaning no driving and ideally company for the day
- Bowel-cleansing preparation for colonoscopy can be inconvenient the day before
- Small risks of bleeding or, rarely, a tear, particularly when polyps are removed
- Occasionally an examination is incomplete and needs to be repeated
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is performed by our Check-Up Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Endoscopy — frequently asked questions
It lets the doctor see inside the digestive tract directly — the esophagus, stomach and upper bowel in a gastroscopy, or the large bowel in a colonoscopy — to investigate symptoms, detect or screen for cancer, take biopsies and treat some findings.
Most procedures are done with light sedation to keep you comfortable and relaxed, or with a numbing throat spray for a gastroscopy. You are usually awake but at ease, and any bloating or sore throat afterwards settles quickly.
For a gastroscopy you fast for a few hours. For a colonoscopy you follow bowel-cleansing preparation the day before so the lining can be seen clearly. Your coordinator sends clear instructions in advance.
Yes. A key advantage of endoscopy is that the doctor can take biopsies and treat certain findings during the same examination — for example removing polyps, which can prevent bowel cancer, or stopping minor bleeding.
Endoscopy is a day case with no overnight stay; you simply rest until any sedation wears off. Your coordinator can combine it with a check-up or other care. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your needs rather than a fixed online price.
Related treatments
Considering endoscopy?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.