Endoscopic Ultrasound Technology

The Benefits. The Lacks Cancer Center is one of a few in Michigan providing a comprehensive Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) program. This provides the capability of acquiring biopsy samples, providing cancer diagnosis and staging, and effectively treating tumors of the esophagus, rectum, stomach, pancreas, and other organs both non-invasively and with greater precision. Because EUS can be a technically demanding, complicated procedure patients should seek out centers with experienced physicians who have a specialty in EUS, such as our Endoscopist who was trained at The Cleveland Clinic in Endoscopic Ultrasound.

The Procedure. EUS is usually performed on an outpatient basis and takes only 30 to 40 minutes to complete. During this procedure a tiny ultrasound probe is gently inserted down the throat into the upper esophagus. The probe emits very sensitive sound waves that penetrate deep into surrounding tissues. These waves are then transmitted to a computer and displayed in real-time on a large video screen. The scopes are also designed with an open channel, which allows instruments to be passed into the affected region so that tissue samples can be taken, and in some instances, the tumor can be destroyed.

To learn more about EUS or to schedule a procedure, ask your primary care physician for a referral or make a self-referral by calling (616) 752-6756 or 1-800-639-6266.