Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) for Cancer
The procedure known as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is used to help your doctor evaluate or treat your condition, or to look for possible causes of symptoms such as abdominal pain and weight loss.
An EUS uses an endoscope – the same type used in an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy – but with a miniature, built-in ultrasound transducer that allows for high-quality ultrasound imaging of the area during the procedure.
This minimally invasive endoscopic procedure allows your gastroenterologist to examine the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, accessed from either the esophagus or rectum, as well as any nearby organs such as the gallbladder, pancreas, liver, and biliary tree. During an EUS, a patient is intravenously sedated, and the endoscopy began at either the mouth or anus, depending on the GI area to be examined. Tissue samples (biopsies) of abnormal areas may be taken during the procedure.
Due to its excellent specificity, an EUS may be used to determine the extent or spread of certain GI cancers. The detailed ultrasound images help your doctor accurately diagnose and assess the stage of esophageal, pancreatic, gastric, colorectal, or bile duct cancers. The technique also monitors cancer recurrence and can help define the best therapeutic strategy.
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Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) FAQs
An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is used for evaluating lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and the staging of GI cancers to identify the extent of the disease.
The ultrasound capabilities of an EUS allows detailed images to be captured of structures close to the GI tract, such as the pancreas.
An EUS-FNA is an endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (FNA), which is a method of taking a sample of suspicious tissue. The FNA is guided by ultrasound to pinpoint target tissue. The needle allows piercing of the stomach wall, for example, to take a sample from inside the pancreas.
While the risks are very rare, they include bleeding, perforation, infection, and inflammation.
The EUS is an outpatient procedure that usually takes an hour or less.
If you need more than just an endoscopy, perhaps one that combines high-quality ultrasound imaging is needed. Call Oceana Gastroenterology Associates at (951) 934-0505 today to find out if you need an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) – or use our appointment request form to schedule your appointment with one of our providers.
