What is hepato-gastroenterology?
Hepato-gastroenterology is the medical specialty that focuses on the digestive organs – their functioning, disorders and the treatment of digestive conditions. The digestive system comprises the following organs:
- Digestive tract (oesophagus, stomach, intestines, colon and rectum)
- Liver
- Pancreas.
What does a hepato-gastroenterologist do?
A hepato-gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats an extremely wide range of digestive system disorders, including:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, etc.)
- Diseases of the liver and bile ducts (stones, tumours, etc.)
- Hepatitis
- Digestive bleeding
- Diseases of the pancreas
- Digestive cancers.
When to see a specialist in hepato-gastroenterology
The patient is referred to a hepato-gastroenterologist by their GP or another specialist, making it possible to carry out further tests and/or interpret results, make a diagnosis, set up treatment and carry out a particular procedure.
How to choose a hepato-gastroenterologist
Hepato-gastroenterology uses special techniques, particularly imaging. The specialist will be chosen in consultation with the patient’s GP who is familiar with the best equipped facilities and the practitioners with whom they can confidently work.