Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Gastrointestinal and liver medicine deal with the complex range of conditions relating to our digestive systems and related organs. These conditions can be both painful and often sensitive in nature. Providing appropriate care requires compassion and discretion alongside exceptional clinical knowledge.

Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre (BTMC) provides specialised medical care for the diagnosis and management of digestive and liver disorders. Our services cover 

  • Gastroenterology, which focuses on the mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, small intestines, and the colon.

  • Hepatology, which addresses conditions of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, biliary tree, and spleen.

  • Endoscopy Services such as Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, Capsule Endoscopy, Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and ERCP.

  • Oncology Services for GI cancers such as 

    • esophageal, stomach and colon cancers

    • Liver cancers such as Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) & Cholangiocarcinoma

    • Pancreatic Cancers and Neuroendocrine Tumours (NET). 

    • Palliative Services such as stenting and pain management.

  • Liver Diseases in Pregnancy, such as:

    • Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)

    • Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia

    • HELLP Syndrome

    • Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP)

  • Infections of the GI tract

    • Food poisoning

    • Difficult to treat H.Pylori (failed multiple treatments)

    • Clostridium Difficile 

    • Tuberculosis (TB) of the gut

  • Disorders of Brain-Gut Interaction (DGBI) and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGID)

Digestive & Liver Care at BTMC Klang

Specialist-Led, Multidisciplinary Care

BTMC in Klang provides comprehensive digestive and liver care led by experienced gastroenterologists and hepatologists. Our specialists conduct holistic assessments and work closely with internal medicine, radiology, surgery, and nutrition teams to deliver coordinated and well-rounded patient care.

Modern Diagnostics & Integrated Treatment

With endoscopy, imaging, and laboratory services available within the centre, patients can undergo necessary tests without unnecessary delays. This supports accurate diagnosis and, where possible, early identification of gastrointestinal and liver conditions.

Patients are guided throughout their care journey and provides practical advice — including dietary support — to encourage sustainable digestive and liver health.

Conditions We Commonly Manage at BTMC

Our centre provides assessment and medical management for a wide range of digestive and liver concerns, such as: 

  • Esophagus

    • Food stuck or choking sensations

    • Difficulty swallowing your food

    • Acid reflux and chest discomfort

    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) & Barrett’s esophagus

  • Stomach

    • Burping, Bloating and Indigestion

    • Stomach pains, gastritis and ulcers

    • Nausea and vomiting

    • Vomiting blood

  • Colon 

    • Abdominal pain

    • Diarrhea, constipation and flatulence

    • Tenesmus – sensation of wanting to go toilet but unable to poo

    • Blood in stool

    • Pain at the anus & new haemorrhoids

    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

    • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease

    • Diarrhea after the operation

  • Liver

    • Jaundice, Fatigue or Skin Itchiness (Pruritus)

    • Fatty liver

    • Abnormal liver function tests

    • Hepatitis B & C

    • Ascites & Liver cirrhosis

  • Pancreas

    • New-onset diabetes in young people

    • Raised CA19.9 tumour markers

    • A cyst in the pancreas was found during a scan

Gastroenterology & Hepatology Services at BTMC

Diagnostic Services

An accurate diagnosis is the first step in managing any digestive or liver condition. BTMC offers a full suite of diagnostic tools on-site, providing timely and convenient care with a focus on patient comfort and safety.

  • Gastroscopy (upper GI examination)

  • Colonoscopy (large intestine examination)

  • Enteroscopy & Capsule Endoscopy (small bowel testing)

  • Fibroscan (Liver stiffness score for fatty liver)

  • Ultrasound of the abdomen

  • CT and MRI scans, including MRI Primovist & MRCP

  • Barium swallow

  • Specialised Blood, Urine and Stool tests (such as Faecal Calprotectin)

  • H. pylori testing, including Blood, Urea Breath Tests and H.Pylori culture

  • Functional testing, such as pH studies, esophageal manometry, and SIBO breath test

Endoscopic Procedures

Endoscopy is a key procedure for identifying inflammation, ulcers, polyps, and sources of bleeding within the GI tract. Our common procedures include:

  • Diagnostic gastroscopy and treatment of H.Pylori

  • Advanced Imaging & Therapeutic gastroscopy to detect and remove precancerous conditions such as Barrett’s esophagus or early gastric cancer

  • Diagnostic & therapeutic colonoscopy for polyp evaluation and removal

  • Small bowel enteroscopy

  • Stomach & Colorectal cancer screening 

  • Screening & Eradication of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis 

Daycare Procedures

We offer daycare service for the benefit and convenience of patients with chronic illnesses such as Anaemia, Liver Cirrhosis and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD):

  • Peritoneal Tapping for Ascites

  • Albumin infusion for patients with Liver Cirrhosis

  • Intravenous Iron Infusion for Patients with Anaemia

  • Biologics Infusion for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

When You Should See a Digestive or Liver Specialist

Consider scheduling a consultation with a specialist if you experience any of the following persistent symptoms:

  • Frequent heartburn

  • Persistent stomach discomfort

  • Chronic bloating

  • Long-term diarrhoea or constipation

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

  • Blood in your stool or vomit

  • Abnormal liver enzyme results from a blood test

  • Persistent fatigue that may be related to a digestive or liver issue

Make an Appointment

To schedule a consultation for your digestive or liver health concerns, please contact us through our online enquiry form. Our team is here to provide supportive and thorough medical care.

Gastroenterology (GI) Specialists

At Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre, our GI specialists offer outstanding care using advanced clinical techniques and innovative technologies for the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions. The underlying causes of digestive system disorders can be complicated, but thanks to our highly skilled team of gastroenterologists, we offer a range of methods for investigation and treatment. Our GI doctors offer treatments for conditions such as acid reflux and stomach pain, alongside advanced diagnoses techniques such as colonoscopy and gastroscopy.


Our Gastroenterology & Hepatology Doctors

Dr Dinesh Ganeswaran

Designation
Consultant Physician, Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist
Specialty
Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
 


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FAQs about Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Persistent symptoms can often indicate an underlying illness that requires attention. For instance, chest discomfort might be caused by heart disease, stomach ulcers, or even gallstones. It is also possible to have both heart disease and stomach ulcers concurrently.

That is why it is important to get checked by a stomach specialist (gastroenterologist) to rule out serious digestive conditions.

Generally, we treat diseases of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestines, and colon. While many patients refer to this field as gastrology, our focus has recently shifted to Advanced Imaging and Chromoendoscopy.

This allows us to detect precancerous cells and early cancers so they can be removed using newer techniques, such as Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), without the need for major surgery.

If a dog chases you, you will instinctively run—you won't stop to eat or use the toilet. That is how closely your brain works with your gut. DGBI and FGID involve using newer therapies, such as neuromodulators, to control distressing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation when a standard gastroscopy shows normal results.

Routine checks such as general check-up, blood pressure and blood tests are great to screen your general health. Tumour markers were intended to monitor treatment response in cancer patients. However, specific cancers require specific screening, like a mammogram for Breast Cancer, a pap smear for Cervical Cancer and an endoscopy for GI tract cancers.

Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy are the only tools that can both detect and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract simultaneously. It enables our clinical gastroenterology team to take biopsies or perform removals (polypectomy) that are sent to the laboratory for accurate histological diagnosis. These results determine how frequently you should return for a repeat test.

Yes. Biopsies are a vital part of Gastroscopy because they detect early cancers—especially in conditions like Barrett’s Oesophagus—which can then be removed. A biopsy in the colon is equally important, particularly for patients with chronic diarrhoea, as they may have conditions like Microscopic Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis, or Infectious Colitis that can only be diagnosed through a biopsy.

Polyps are generally believed to grow into cancers over time. Polypectomy (removing polyps) is crucial to diagnose the specific type. While Fundic Gland Polyps (FGP) are generally benign, Hyperplastic polyps carry a small risk of cancer. Likewise, colonic polyps such as Sessile Serrated Adenoma (SSA) carry significant cancer risks and should be removed. Removing them enables accurate laboratory assessments and effective cancer prevention.

Yes. Patients with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis require frequent monitoring. While stool markers (Faecal Calprotectin) or Intestinal Ultrasound (IUS) are useful for monitoring disease activity, patients with active colitis are at high risk for colon cancer. A colonoscopy allows us to check for high-risk features and perform adjunct biopsies to ensure safety.

You should always consult a specialist. Hepatitis B and C are still quite common in Malaysia and should be checked immediately. Upon further testing, we often detect hidden conditions such as Autoimmune Hepatitis or Primary Biliary Cholangitis. These conditions can be treated effectively by a hepatology specialist, but failure to treat them can lead to liver cirrhosis.

Fatty Liver is a common condition that can progress to inflammation, fibrosis, and advanced liver scarring known as Cirrhosis. Patients with Fatty Liver often have other metabolic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, gout, or heart disease. Liver diseases have a compounding effect: Fatty Liver plus Diabetes is dangerous; Fatty Liver plus Diabetes and Hepatitis B significantly accelerates the development of Liver Cirrhosis.

They are different in terms of treatment. Hepatitis B cannot be cured yet, but it can be effectively treated to suppress the virus so it becomes dormant. Hepatitis C is curable because modern treatment removes the virus from the body entirely. Followup with a hepatologist in Malaysia is vital because treatments have improved drastically, and medications are now cheaper and more accessible.

We know that untreated liver diseases inevitably progress to Fibrosis, Cirrhosis, and Liver Cancer. Patients with Liver Cirrhosis often require adjustments to their blood pressure and diabetes medications based on their blood tests. A combination of Ultrasound and AFP tumour markers increases the accuracy of detecting early liver cancers, which are treatable.

EUS is a specialised endoscope equipped with an Ultrasound Probe. It enables a highly detailed examination of your pancreas, gallbladder, and liver to detect pancreatic cysts, early cancers, and gallstones. It also allows our specialists to take biopsies of cysts and cancers during the same examination for accurate laboratory analysis.

ERCP stands for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, which is an endoscope with a camera on its side, used to treat diseases in the Bile Ducts, usually caused by Gallstones or cancers. EUS is often the tool to detect, while ERCP is often the tool to diagnose conditions of the bile duct, while avoiding major surgeries or external tubes called PTBD that were done in the past.

Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (including Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) often involve chronic abdominal pain, persistent diarrhoea, weight loss, and fatigue. Early diagnosis via Colonoscopy is vital for effective long-term management.