Gastroscopy vs Endoscopy: Which Procedure Do You Need?

Last update : 29 Août 2025

Confused about gastroscopy and endoscopy? This blog explores the features and differences between gastroscopy and endoscopy.

Both gastroscopy and endoscopy are used for understanding health concerns surrounding the intestinal or stomach areas. These non-invasive tests are suggested by physicians that let them examine your internal organs without significant incisions. However, these procedures are different and explore different aspects of the body.

Gastroscopy procedure is one type of endoscopy that scans the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where essential organs like the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum are located. However, an endoscopy involves a deeper look into the organs with a specific endoscopic camera. The key difference between endoscopy and gastroscopy is unlike gastroscopy, an endoscopy can be done in the respiratory system, organs, joints, and other organs.

Now, let’s understand how endoscopy and gastroscopy differ in various aspects.

Understanding Endoscopy and Its Purpose

The main purpose of carrying out an endoscopy is to diagnose different diseases that cannot be detected through blood tests or other diagnostic procedures. Here, we explore the key purpose and conditions it can identify.

What Endoscopy Involves

An endoscopy procedure inspects the body inside and outside by inserting a thin, longer tube called an endoscope. These endoscopes typically have a specialized camera and light to inspect the target organ.

Different Types of Endoscopic Procedures

An endoscopy encompasses different parts of the body. There are distinguished endoscopy procedures that diagnose specific organs for potential abnormalities.

1. Colonoscopy: In this process, a camera-equipped scope is passed through the anus to inspect your large intestine or colon.
2. Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: In this endoscopy, the scope is inserted through the anus to inspect the lower area of the colon and rectum.
3. Bronchoscopy: Inspects your trachea and lung condition.
4. Enteroscopy: It examines the small intestines.
5. Laryngoscopy: This endoscopy process inspects your voice box area.

Conditions Diagnosed with Endoscopy

Doctors order an endoscopy for the primary examination of the affected organ. Diagnostic service providers can also use endoscopy, which can help in removing unusual tissue to evaluate it in the lab. This is referred to as a biopsy, which determines if the growths are cancerous. Here are some diseases that can also be detected through an endoscopy:

1. GI disease, colon polyps, and colon cancer.
2. Problems with joints, such as arthritis.
3. Respiratory issues.
4. UTI (Urinary tract Infections) and kidney stones.
5. Issues related to reproductive systems.

What is Gastroscopy and How Does It Differ

Despite being one type of endoscopic procedure, gastroscopy is different in terms of procedure and focus area compared to other types of endoscopy.

Definition and Focus Area of Gastroscopy

Also known as Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), a gastroscopy specifically focuses on the area stomach and the part of the duodenum, involving the GI tract. A gastroscope is inserted through your mouth, which generally has a small camera that shows the internal visuals on the screens.

Common Conditions Detected by Gastroscopy

The physician can order a gastroscopy if the patients are experiencing things like:

1. Stomach pain for a longer time
2. Chronic heartburn and vomiting
3. Gastritis
4. Peptic ulcers

But above all, can a gastroscopy detect cancer? This is a general query among most of the patients. One simple answer to this is, yes. It can identify the early signs of cancer in the stomach and other sections of the GI tract.

Numerous observations have demonstrated a notable success rate for EGD. For instance, in a study involving 53 patients, the diagnostic EGD experienced a success rate of 92.4%. So, it can be stated that gastroscopy is quite accurate in diagnosing intestinal issues.

Why Gastroscopy is Considered a Type of Endoscopy

Gastroscopy is considered a type of endoscopy because the former utilizes a similar technology to the latter. A camera-equipped scope is used in both processes. This helps in visualizing the internal organs. EGD is just a kind of gastroscopy, which is ordered by doctors to examine the abnormalities of the gastrointestinal areas.

Key Differences Between Gastroscopy and Endoscopy

Here are some key differences between endoscopy vs gastroscopy.

Table 1: Key differences between gastroscopy and endoscopy

When to Choose Gastroscopy

Doctors prescribe gastroscopy when they suspect something unusual by assessing your symptoms. They understand the basic symptoms and refer to gastroscopy for further confirmation.

Symptoms That Indicate the Need for Gastroscopy

You will be asked for a gastroscopy considering these symptoms:

1. Unusual bleeding
2. Indigestion or heartburn
3. Iron deficiency
4. Rapid weight loss
5. Frequent sickness
6. Black stool or bloody stool

Diagnostic and Treatment Advantages

An EGD or gastroscopy can have several treatment benefits, which include:

1. High accuracy of diagnosis.
2. Early collection of tissue samples.
3. Early identification of cancers in areas like the esophagus and duodenum.
4. Minimally invasive.

When to Choose Other Endoscopic Procedures

There are certain situations when other endoscopic procedures might be ordered by the physicians.

Situations Where Broader Endoscopy is Recommended

Extensive endoscopy can be ordered by the physicians for more in-depth inspection and precise results for symptoms like:

1. Consistent stomach pain.
2. Difficulty in swallowing.
3. Sudden transition in bowel habits.

Endoscopy can also be used in diagnosing conditions like tumors, gastritis, and polyps inside the colon. This minimizes the chance of colorectal cancer.

Combining Gastroscopy with Other Endoscopies

Sometimes, doctors ask patients to combine gastroscopy with other endoscopies like colonoscopy. It can be time-saving and also cost-effective for patients as they can pay only once to the anesthesiologist. In this process, both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract is examined.

Risks and Safety Factors to Consider

A typical gastroscopy procedure is comparatively safer than other procedures, but there are some risks which are associated with this.

Potential Complications of Gastroscopy

1. Gastroscopy is generally executed under sedation. Although it is very rare, there can be a mild allergic reaction to the sedative.
2. Perforation in the lining of the esophagus or any other areas adjacent to the GI tract can be one of the significant complications associated with gastroscopy.
3. Risk of bleeding can be observed during the biopsy procedure and polyp removal. However, the risk of it is significantly minor.

Comparing Safety Levels of Different Endoscopies

Gastroscopy procedure is considered way safer than other kinds of endoscopies like cystoscopy and hysteroscopy. There is an increased risk of infection and perforation in these kinds of endoscopy compared to gastroscopy.

Preparing for Each Procedure

The doctor will discuss the process of gastroscopy and how to prepare for it. Here are some basic preparations:

1. The doctor can tell you to pause consuming your blood-clotting medicine
2. Before 6 hours of the procedure, you need to stop eating any kind of food, and 2 hours before, stop sipping water.
3. Mention if you have any kind of disease beforehand, for example, diabetes.

But how long does gastroscopy tale? Well, the process can take 15 minutes to half an hour at the most. However, after the procedure, doctors will monitor you for some hours during recovery. The entire process is performed under proper sedation, so you will feel a lack of sensation.

Preparation Steps for Other Endoscopies

There is not much difference between a gastroscopy preparation and an endoscopy preparation. However, your doctor should let you know about the key risks of the procedure, including the type of endoscopy.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

After some time of the test, you will be asked to rest properly and eat very lightly. Drinking plenty of fluid is essential, and strenuous activity must be avoided.

Making the Right Choice for Your Health

When consulting with doctors, they will help you determine whether you need an endoscopy or gastroscopy. You can look for these queries to your gastroenterologist:

Questions to Ask Your Gastroenterologist

1. What is the best way to analyze the diagnosis of my condition?
2. Will my symptoms worsen over time?
3. What lifestyle change will I need?
4. What tests do I need?

How do Doctors Decide the Best Procedure?

Doctors decide between gastroscopy and other types of endoscopy, considering the area that requires further inspection. Gastroscopy is done in the gastrointestinal area. On the other hand, endoscopy can be done to diagnose abnormalities in other broader areas of the digestive system. Furthermore, physicians can also opt for endoscopy if there is a problem in other areas like joints, larynx, and lungs.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Diagnostic Path

Choosing the right diagnostic path between gastroscopy and endoscopy is dependent on your overall physical evaluation. Doctors will guide you through the diagnostic path and help you understand the potential risks and advantages of taking the right step. Follow their instruction and try to understand the issues that can arise if the tests are not performed on time.

Consult an Experienced Clinic for a Seamless Diagnostic Procedure!

Looking for an experienced clinic for gastroscopy or endoscopy? Consult with a reputed and professional diagnostic clinic for a seamless procedure and quicker recovery.