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Screening colonoscopy in Vienna
Screening means more than early detection
During a screening colonoscopy I examine the large bowel even if you have no symptoms. A key benefit is that polyps can be detected and removed before they can develop into a malignant disease later on. Not every polyp develops into cancer; nevertheless, removing suitable precursor lesions is an important part of screening.
Without a prior practice appointment: For a purely preventive check-up without particular symptoms, a direct appointment request is also possible – with a registration form completed online, the signed informed consent form and a short phone call to clarify any open questions. You choose your preferred date directly online from the available endoscopy slots.
Why symptoms are not a reliable guide
Polyps can exist unnoticed for a long time. The fact that you have no pain and your digestion is unchanged therefore does not reliably indicate whether the bowel lining is normal. Screening is based on age, family history and previous findings.
When is the right time?
In general, the first screening colonoscopy is recommended at the age of 45. However, when to start and the follow-up interval depend on your personal risk profile. Let me know whether bowel cancer or relevant polyps have occurred in your family and at what age your relatives were affected. Reports from previous colonoscopies, including histology, help to plan the next examination appropriately.
An abnormal stool test or visible blood should be assessed by a doctor, regardless of any routine screening schedule. Symptoms should not simply be left until the next regular check-up.
How I perform the examination
I perform the colonoscopy personally and always under sedation. Specialised endoscopy nurses and anaesthetists are part of the well-practised team. Cleansing the bowel before your appointment is the prerequisite for a meaningful examination. After the procedure, you will be monitored and cared for in the recovery room.
If polyps are found
Polyps can be removed during the same session. Their tissue is examined in pathology. The histology, the number and size of the polyps and whether they were removed completely determine further follow-up planning. There is therefore no single follow-up interval that suits all patients.
Can the examination provide complete certainty?
No examination offers one hundred per cent certainty – and this applies to colonoscopy too. Bowel preparation, the folds of the bowel wall and technical limitations affect how conclusive it is. If the view is not adequate or a finding requires a targeted follow-up, I will discuss the next steps with you.
My focus
Screening colonoscopy and polyp removal are explicitly among my areas of focus. For specialised long-term treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases or for intolerance testing, please contact an appropriately specialised gastroenterology practice.