Endoscopy

An endoscope is a long, thin flexible tube with a camera and a light on the end. Doctors can use this to look inside parts of your body to see if there is anything unusual.

Sometimes the endoscope is inserted into a body cavity such as the anus or gullet; in other situations the surgeon may have to make a small incision through which to insert the endoscope, for example to examine the abdominal cavity.

An endoscope can also be used to take samples of any abnormal tissue.