Understanding your medical notes
Endoscopy & colonoscopy report explained in plain English
After a camera test of your gut, you're often handed a report full of words like "polyp", "biopsy taken", or "diverticulosis" — many of which are common and benign. This guide explains the different types of endoscopy, what the findings mean, and why a separate result often follows for any samples taken.
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Explain my report → Your text isn't stored. Available on web, iOS & Android.Types of endoscopy
- Gastroscopy / OGD — examines the upper gut: gullet (oesophagus), stomach, and the first part of the small bowel.
- Colonoscopy — examines the whole large bowel (colon).
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy — examines the lower part of the large bowel.
A report usually notes how far the camera reached, what was seen, and whether anything was removed or sampled.
Common endoscopy and colonoscopy terms, decoded
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Polyp | A small growth on the gut lining; most are benign and often removed as a precaution |
| Biopsy taken | Small tissue samples collected for testing — result follows separately |
| Histology to follow | The lab result for samples will come later (usually 1–2 weeks) |
| Inflammation / erythema | Redness or irritation of the lining |
| Diverticulosis | Small pouches in the bowel wall — very common and often harmless |
| Hiatus hernia | Part of the stomach sitting above the diaphragm — common, often mild |
| Ulcer | A sore in the lining; needs review and sometimes treatment |
| Barrett's oesophagus | A change in the gullet lining that's monitored over time |
| CLO test | A test for H. pylori, a stomach bacterium |
| Normal mucosa | The lining looked healthy — reassuring |
Where samples were taken, the meaning often comes from the pathology (biopsy) result that follows. Come across a term that isn't here? Patiently AI's built-in medical glossary covers over 9,000 terms — or paste the whole report in for an explanation.
How to read your endoscopy report, step by step
- Check which test was done and how far the camera reached.
- Read the findings — note anything removed (e.g. a polyp) or sampled.
- Look for "histology to follow" — if samples were taken, the key result comes later.
- Note any recommendations, such as treatment or a repeat in a few years.
- List your questions for your doctor or the team who did the test.
Not sure what was found?
Patiently AI turns "Sigmoid diverticulosis noted; 5 mm polyp snared; biopsies taken, histology to follow" into plain English — and explains what's routine and what to follow up.
Try it with your own report → Paste, upload, or photograph your report.Questions to ask your doctor about your endoscopy
- What did the test show, in plain terms?
- Was anything removed or sampled, and when will I get those results?
- Does any finding need treatment or a change to my medicines?
- Do I need a repeat test, and if so when?
- Are there any symptoms I should watch for afterwards?
Patiently AI generates personalised "Questions for your doctor" automatically from your report — so nothing important goes unasked.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an endoscopy, gastroscopy and colonoscopy?
Endoscopy is the general term for looking inside with a flexible camera. A gastroscopy (OGD) examines the upper gut — gullet, stomach, and the first part of the small bowel. A colonoscopy examines the large bowel, and a flexible sigmoidoscopy the lower part of it. The report says which was done.
Does finding a polyp mean cancer?
No. A polyp is a small growth on the gut lining. Most are benign, and they're often removed during the procedure as a precaution because a small number could change over time. Removed polyps are usually sent for testing, and the histology result tells you more.
What does "biopsy taken" mean?
It means small tissue samples were collected to be examined under a microscope. This is routine and doesn't by itself mean anything is wrong. The separate histology (pathology) report, usually a week or two later, gives the result.
What is diverticulosis?
Diverticulosis means small pouches (diverticula) in the wall of the large bowel. It's very common, especially with age, and often causes no symptoms. Your doctor will advise if anything needs to change, but on its own it's frequently an incidental, harmless finding.
Can Patiently AI explain my endoscopy or colonoscopy report?
Yes. Paste the report — or upload a photo, PDF, or Word file — and Patiently AI explains the findings in plain English, decodes the terminology, and suggests questions to ask. It's free, needs no account, and removes identifying details on your device before processing.