Dr. Thomas Savides, founder and director of the Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Program at UCSD Medical Center, is a nationally recognized expert in endoscopic ultrasound and therapeutic endoscopy. Under Dr. Savides' leadership, the EUS program at UC San Diego is now one of the premier programs in the United States for diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and lung cancer.
What is EUS?
EUS is used to examine the lining and the walls of your upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. It is a valuable tool in diagnosing the cause of abdominal conditions or diseases such as:
- abdominal pain
- abnormal weight loss
- abnormalities such as a growth that might have been detected during a prior X-ray or endoscopy
- diseases of the pancreas, bile duct and gallbladder
The upper tract is the esophagus, stomach and duodenum
The lower tract includes your colon and rectum.
EUS is also used to study internal organs that lie next to the gastrointestinal tract, such as the gall bladder and pancreas.
During the procedure, a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope will be passed through your mouth or anus to the area to be examined. Then, ultrasound waves will create visual images of the digestive tract.
EUS and Cancer Diagnosis/Staging
In certain cancers of the digestive and respiratory systems, EUS can be an invaluable in allowing a physician to accurately assess the cancer's depth and whether it has spread to adjacent lymph glands or nearby vital structures. In some patients, EUS can be used to obtain tissue samples to help your doctor determine the proper treatment.
Information for Patients