Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiseases TreatedGastroenterologistsColorectal SurgeonsMaking the Choice
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diseases Treated
Gastroenterologists
Colorectal Surgeons
Making the Choice
Agastroenterologistis an internal medical specialist trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses. While a gastroenterologist can perform certain invasive procedures, like polyp removal, acolorectal surgeonis specially trained to perform a variety of surgeries involving thelarge intestine (colon), rectum, and anus.
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There is some overlap in what gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons do as well as the upper and lower GI disorders they can treat. These include diseases such as:
When a Gastroenterologist Is Needed
A gastroenterologist is a board-certified physician trained ininternal medicinewho then undergoes a three-year fellowship to specialize in gastroenterology (the study of the digestive tract).
Unlike a colorectal surgeon, a gastroenterologist treats diseases of the entire gastrointestinal tract, not just the lower GI tract. In addition to the anus, rectum, large intestine (and the largest section called thecolon), this would include the following organs of the upper GI tract:
A gastroenterologist can treat parts of the GI tract that a colorectal surgeon traditionally doesn’t. This includes upper GI diseases, such as:
They can also deal with lower GI disorders that are not surgically treated, such asirritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Qualified Procedures
Gastroenterologists do not perform surgery but are qualified to perform certain minimally invasive procedures used for the diagnosis or treatment of digestive disease.
These include:
All gastroenterologists are qualified to perform colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and upper GI endoscopy. Additional training may be needed to perform procedures used to treat gallbladder, liver, and biliary diseases.
When a Colorectal Surgeon Is Needed
A colorectal surgeon is ageneral surgeonwho undergoes a five-year surgical residency to specialize in the surgical treatment of the large intestine, rectum, and anus.They do not traditionally perform surgery on the liver, pancreas, stomach, esophagus, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
On the other hand, they often perform surgery on parts of the small intestine, particularly the final part of the small intestine called theileumthat connects the small and large intestine. Some colorectal surgeons also practice both general surgery and colorectal surgery, while others choose to specialize in colorectal surgery only.
The complex surgeries colorectal surgeons are qualified to perform include:
Generally speaking, a colorectal surgeon is called upon when GI surgery is needed. With that said, some colorectal surgeons provide medical treatment for conditions like hemorrhoids or anal fissures, only performing surgery if and when the condition gets worse.
By contrast, gastroenterologists do not perform surgery and will instead provide medical and pharmaceutical treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, often on an ongoing basis.
Summary
A gastroenterologist is an internist specially trained in gastroenterology who can diagnose and treat diseases involving the digestive tract. A colorectal surgeon is a general surgeon trained in surgical treatment of the large intestine, colon, rectum, and anus.
Both can perform procedures like colonoscopy and polyp removal, but only colorectal surgeons are qualified to perform surgeries like bowel resection or colostomy.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of California Irvine.Colorectal disease: conditions & treatments.American College of Gastroenterology.What is a gastroenterologist?National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Digestive diseases.American Medical Association.Colon and rectal surgery.University of California Center for Colorectal Surgery.Alphabetical list procedures.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of California Irvine.Colorectal disease: conditions & treatments.American College of Gastroenterology.What is a gastroenterologist?National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Digestive diseases.American Medical Association.Colon and rectal surgery.University of California Center for Colorectal Surgery.Alphabetical list procedures.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of California Irvine.Colorectal disease: conditions & treatments.American College of Gastroenterology.What is a gastroenterologist?National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Digestive diseases.American Medical Association.Colon and rectal surgery.University of California Center for Colorectal Surgery.Alphabetical list procedures.
University of California Irvine.Colorectal disease: conditions & treatments.
American College of Gastroenterology.What is a gastroenterologist?
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Digestive diseases.
American Medical Association.Colon and rectal surgery.
University of California Center for Colorectal Surgery.Alphabetical list procedures.
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