• Gastroenterology
• Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology covers many organs: e.g., the upper gastrointestinal tract, lower gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tract, and the pancreas.

Significant advances and developments have recently been made in the diagnosis, treatment, and pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases. Although surgical operations were the main treatment for gastrointestinal cancers, great progress has recently been made in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment. For example, endoscopic ultrasonography is used to diagnose submucosal tumors and early-stage cancers of the stomach and colon.

Polypectomy and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are performed in early-stage cancers. Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophageal achalasia is a revolutionary minimally invasive treatment that was introduced to our institution in November 2010 with very good outcomes. We were the fourth institution in Japan to incorporate this treatment. Because of its usefulness and safety, POEM has been covered by health insurance since April 2016 and is now a treatment that can only be performed in certified facilities. We perform endoscopic diagnosis and treatments for common bile duct stones, biliary tract malignancies, and pancreatic stones. In addition, we also perform endoscopic ligation and sclerotherapy to treat esophageal varices. Significant progress has also been made in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and we are also using radiofrequency ablation to treat HCC. The discovery of Helicobacter pylori has led to major changes in the treatment of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease and we provide an eradication therapy for patients with unsuccessful eradication and penicillin allergy at their own expense. New therapies for inflammatory bowel disease have also emerged recently. As a result, our patients’ quality of life (QoL) is improving.