Argon Plasma Coagulation Therapy

Argon Plasma Coagulation has been introduced and used extensively in Australia for a number of years. It has established itself as a standard of care for treatments of small bleeding vascular lesions called Arterio-Venous malformations (AVMs), Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE), as well as a radiation proctitis caused by cervical cancer and prostate cancer treatment.

By recognising these lesions (which often can resemble other forms of inflammatory conditions in the stomach), it is the experience of the Gastroenterologists who would help decide if Argon Plasma Coagulation therapy is the right treatment for you.

Essentially, the procedure involves a small amount of Argon gas being introduced, via a small thin tube inside the endoscope, to the area being targeted and a small electrical current is used to cause a burn to a small and superficial area (ie. not a deep burn). This is entirely different to laser, as laser often penetrate much deeper into the underlying tissue.

This Argon treatment is performed at the same time as the normal gastroscopy / colonoscopy. When you wake up, you should have no pain although some patients do complain of a bloated feeling and burping, as Argon is an inert gas (ie. Argon is not absorbed very well from the gastrointestinal tract).

All our gastroenterologists have been well trained at major teaching hospitals in Melbourne and are well qualified to advise you if this is the right treatment for you.

For further advice and information, you can request an appointment, or call our reception team on .