1) Gastroscopy (Esophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy)
Gastric cancer is more common in Japan, Korea, parts of Eastern Europe, and Latin America than in the United States and Canada. Although the number of stomach cancer cases has declined over the past 60 years, it is the seventh leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Gastric cancer can develop very quickly, and if it is not detected early it can become very dangerous. Therefore, gastroscopy is essential for early detection.
Gastroscopy screens the esophagus, duodenum as well as the stomach thoroughly, and diagnoses every kind of gastroduodenal disease, reflux esophagitis, and early esophageal cancer.

2) Colonoscopy
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US. The American Cancer Society estimates that 148,300 new cases will be diagnosed in 2002. The main causes for increasing in colorectal cancer are fatty food, alcohol and smoking. Although improving one’s diet may help prevent colorectal cancer, it cannot provide complete protection.
Fortunately, most colorectal cancer is caused by colonic polyps. Therefore, if they are completely removed through regular colonoscopy, colorectal cancer can be prevented. In addition, colonoscopy is required to diagnose colorectal diseases such as colorectal cancer and colitis.

1) Gastroscopy (Esophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy)
Regular endoscopy should be done for people 40 years and older. We advise immediate endoscopy for those who suffer from frequent indigestion, hunger pains, gastric symptoms, anemia of unknown cause, weight loss, and have a family history of cancer.

2) Colonoscopy
There is considerable demand for colonoscopists in the USA and the UK to meet the respective guidelines for colorectal cancer screening in the general population. In the US it is recommended that men and women aged 50 years and older get screened for colorectal cancer as many studies have shown that screening reduces mortality from cancer. The rate of colorectal cancer is lower for Koreans than Westerners. Nevertheless, people who are aged 50 years and older are advised to have a colonoscopy by the Korean national cancer screening committee.

Since 2000, new sedatives that are safe, effective and short lasting were invented, and sedative endoscopy has become commonplace. This enables screening without pain or discomfort while patients sleep restfully.

Sedative endoscopy is required for an accurate screening.
Without it, patients may become nauseous and vomiting can result, which make it difficult for accurate screening, and in some cases complications may occur.

Some patients are reluctant to get screenings due to the memory of past painful screenings. Sedative endoscopy removes this fear, and prevents cancer effectively.

1) Gastroscopy (Esophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy)
Main diseases diagnosed by gastroscopy are all types of gastritis, reflux esophagitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, gastroduodenal polyp and gastric cancer.

2) Colonoscopy
Main diseases diagnosed by colonoscopy are colonic polyp, colonic cancer, colon diverticulum, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, tuberculous colitis and bacterial colitis.

1) Gastroscopy
• You have to fast for 8 hours before the endoscopy.
• You may take medicine with water up to 3 hours before the endoscopy.

2) Colonoscopy
• The day before the colonoscopy, have a light, low-fiber breakfast.
• The day before the colonoscopy, do not eat fruits with small seeds, such as melon, watermelon and
   grapes.

• You may take colonic cleansing solution early in the morning on the day of the colonoscopy.

3) Medication
If you normally take a low-dose aspirin or anticoagulant for the prevention of illness, please stop taking aspirin a week before the colonoscopy or anticoagulant three days prior to screening for they may cause bleeding during the biopsy or polypectomy. We recommend that even those who have undergone a polypectomy or biopsy should stop taking medication for a period of 3-5 days after the procedure.

		Patients with Korean national health insurance	Patients without Korean National Health Insurance
Sedative Gastroscopy		110,000 KRW	180,000 KRW (US $152)
Sedative Colonoscopy	By a senior consultant	150,000 KRW	260,000 KRW (US $220)
	By a junior  consultant	180,000 KRW	300,000 KRW (US $254)

• - 1 USD = 1,183 KRW
• - There may be charge variation.

When you get a surgery in our hospital, the cost will be much lower than that in the States even if air travel cost is included. So come and get it. You'll be greatly benefitted.

Colonic polyp is a lump like wart occurring in the colon. Its shape varies from being swollen in the colon mucosa, hanging up from a thin stalk in the shape of a cherry to being flatly attached to the mucosa like a thick pancake. The size also varies from 2-3mm to 20-30mm. A pathological examination is needed for accurate diagnosis. There are two kinds of polyp; adenomatous polyp and non-adenomatous polyp.

Special attention must be paid to colonic polyp because it is related to colonic cancer. The adenomatous polyp constitutes 70% of polyps, and the adenoma can progress to colonic cancer in five years. This adenoma can be categorized into tubular adenoma, tubulovillous adenoma and villous adenoma. About 5 - 35% of these adenomas, depending on the type, can progress to colonic cancer.

Adenoma, which is over 10mm in size, is at higher risk of advancing to cancer.
Although all adenoma do not go on to become colonic cancer, it is acknowledged that almost all colonic cancer comes from adenoma. Therefore, the complete removal of all adenoma can prevent colonic cancer.

Small polyps are cut off with using a tool with forceps shaped like nipper. Big polyps are removed by passing looping and tightening a wire snare around the stalk of the polyp.



Big polyps attached to the large part of the colon mucosa are removed using a special procedure called endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

To remove the polyps attached flat on the colon wall about 2mm thick, without bowel perforation, requires highly skilled hands of surgeon. The operation usually takes over an hour, and is performed using sedative anaesthesia. After the operation, the patient remains in hospital for a day to monitor the recovery.

The detection rate of colonic polyps is in line with the particular age group. If they are in their 30s, the rate is 30%, if in their 40s the rate is 40% and so forth. The rate is similar or possibly higher for Westerners.

The Center consists of three gastroenterologists and six colorectal surgeons. It is equipped with state of the art high definition endoscopes. The Center has been the leader in detection of colonic polyps with its superior skills and facilities.

The key purpose of gastroscopy is to detect gastric cancer early on. Even minimal changes in the early stages of gastric cancer can be detected by the experienced medical team and the high definition equipment.

The Endoscopy Center of GIBBEUM Hospital has the latest model of gastroscopes, the Olympus Evis Lucera 260 series, which is the smallest gastroscope created allowing a pain free screening.

Both gastroscopy and colonoscopy can be carried out at the same time. This reduces the hassle of preparing for the endoscopy, time and cost.

When polyps are detected, some hospitals do not remove them; instead order a biopsy, which requires another colonoscopy leading to extra hassle for preparation, time and cost.

But the Center removes polyps at the time of screening regardless of their size.

Colonic cleansing is the most unpleasing process of procedure for most people.

Compared to other hospitals, however, GIBBEUM Hospital has invented a new technology that allows you to take just ¼ of cleansing solution required by general hospitals and just ½ of that required by specialized hospitals.

6. The Center promises safe and painless endoscopy.

After each screening, the Center takes the endoscope and its accessories apart to pieces, and cleans them thoroughly by hand for over five minutes. They are then disinfected a second time in an automatic washer-disinfector for 20 minutes.

Many facilities are required for thorough cleansing. The Center has forty endoscopes and five automatic washer-disinfectors to insure continue operations without pause.

Endoscopy should be carried out more than just once. We advise you to undergo a gastroscopy once every one to two years and colonoscopy once every one to five years, depending on the existence of polyps.
The Center notifies all its patients of the appropriate schedule before the next screening.

Please call us at 822-570-1234 to make an appointment between 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Or you may make an appointment online. Visit us at www.GIBBEUMhospital.com

Come and see what we can do for you for your health.