Medical Director
Senior Consultant, General & Colorectal Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh)
An abnormal finding during an endoscopy can understandably raise questions about what was seen and what it might mean. However, the finding itself does not always provide a diagnosis. Depending on what the doctor observes, the next step may involve a biopsy, treatment during the procedure, further tests or follow-up.
What happens next depends on the type and location of the abnormality, its appearance and how it relates to your symptoms and medical history. Understanding how doctors interpret common findings and decide whether further investigation is needed can help you approach the follow-up discussion with a clearer idea of what to expect.
What Do Common Abnormal Endoscopy Findings Mean?
An abnormal finding does not automatically indicate cancer or another serious condition. An endoscopy may reveal changes in the digestive tract lining, growths, bleeding or other unusual areas, but their significance can vary. Doctors consider factors such as the location and appearance of the finding and whether further testing is needed to understand its cause.
Inflammation
Redness, irritation or swelling of the digestive tract lining may indicate inflammation. Depending on its location and appearance, inflammation may be associated with conditions such as acid reflux, infection, certain medications or an inflammatory condition.
Ulcers
An ulcer is an open sore in the digestive tract lining. Ulcers may cause pain or bleeding and can be associated with factors such as infection, certain medications or ongoing inflammation.
Polyps
A polyp is a growth that can develop in the digestive tract and is commonly found in the colon. Many colorectal polyps are benign, but some types can contain precancerous changes or develop into cancer over time. Polyps may therefore be removed or sampled for laboratory examination when appropriate.
Bleeding
Signs of active or recent bleeding may be identified during an endoscopy. Possible causes include ulcers, inflammation, abnormal blood vessels, polyps and other lesions, depending on the area being examined.
Narrowing
A narrowed area of the digestive tract may be related to inflammation, swelling, scarring or a growth. Its significance depends on its location, cause and whether it is affecting the passage of food or bowel contents.
Suspicious Tissue
An unusual lesion or area of tissue may require a biopsy because appearance alone is not always sufficient to determine its cause. Laboratory examination can help establish whether the tissue is benign, precancerous or cancerous.
What Happens After an Abnormal Endoscopy Result?
What happens immediately after the endoscopy depends on what was found and whether the abnormality could be assessed or treated during the procedure. In some cases, the doctor may be able to manage the finding straight away. In others, the next step depends on biopsy or pathology results.
Can the Abnormality Be Treated During the Endoscopy?
Some abnormalities may be treated during the endoscopy. For example, the doctor may remove certain polyps or control some sources of bleeding during the procedure. Other findings may require medication, further investigation or treatment by another specialist.
When Is a Biopsy Needed?
A biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample for examination in a laboratory. It may be taken when tissue needs to be examined more closely, such as areas of inflammation, ulcers, polyps or suspicious lesions.
The biopsy result can provide information that is not available from visual inspection alone. In some cases, the diagnosis and appropriate treatment can only be determined after the laboratory report is available.
Your doctor or clinic will typically advise when the pathology results are expected, how they will be communicated and whether a follow-up consultation is required.
When Is Further Investigation or Follow-Up Needed?
Not every abnormal finding requires the same type of follow-up. The next step depends on what was found, whether a diagnosis has been established and whether the doctor needs to assess healing, treatment response or changes over time.
Further Tests or Specialist Assessment
Depending on the findings, the doctor may recommend blood tests, imaging or assessment by another specialist. These investigations may be used when more information is needed about the cause or extent of an abnormality or when the finding may involve care beyond what can be provided during the endoscopy.
Repeat Endoscopy
Another endoscopy may be recommended to check whether an ulcer has healed, assess the response to treatment, confirm that a lesion was completely removed or monitor certain abnormal changes. The timing of a repeat endoscopy depends on the type of finding, biopsy results and reason for follow-up.
Monitoring Without Another Procedure
Some findings may not require another procedure immediately. Depending on their significance, the doctor may recommend treatment, symptom monitoring or follow-up appointments instead. If symptoms persist, worsen or new concerns arise, further evaluation may then be considered.
Navigate Your Endoscopy Results With Dr Chew Min Hoe
An abnormal endoscopy finding does not always provide a diagnosis on its own. Depending on what was found, the next step may involve biopsy results, treatment, additional tests or follow-up endoscopy. Discussing the findings with your doctor can help you understand their significance and what follow-up may be appropriate.
At our endoscopy clinic in Singapore, patients can receive assessment and care for digestive and colorectal conditions. Dr Chew Min Hoe is a senior consultant general and colorectal surgeon with experience in endoscopic assessment and colorectal care. If you have received an abnormal endoscopy result, book an appointment to discuss your findings and the next steps that may be appropriate.
FAQs About Endoscopy Findings
Why might an endoscopy show abnormal findings without any symptoms?
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Some digestive abnormalities may develop without causing noticeable symptoms, particularly in their early stages. They may only be identified during screening or an investigation performed for another reason, which is why each finding must be interpreted individually.
Can an abnormal endoscopy finding be benign?
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Yes. An abnormal finding does not necessarily indicate cancer or another serious condition. Findings may include inflammation, ulcers or non-cancerous polyps. However, appearance alone may not always determine the cause or nature of a finding, so a biopsy or further testing may be recommended. Your doctor will interpret the finding together with your symptoms, medical history and test results.
Does an abnormal endoscopy result mean I will need surgery?
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An abnormal result does not automatically mean surgery is required. Many findings can be monitored, treated with medication or managed during endoscopy. Surgery may be considered if an abnormality cannot be appropriately managed with endoscopic or other non-surgical treatment.
Meet Our Colorectal Specialist in Singapore
Medical Director
Senior Consultant, General & Colorectal Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh)
Dr Chew Min Hoe has devoted over 25 years of service to the public sector and was the founding Head of the Department of Surgery at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH). His clinical speciality is General and Colorectal Surgery with special niche interests in colorectal cancer, advanced pelvic tumours, hereditary conditions as well as perianal surgery. He is highly involved in education and research and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles.
