Author: Abhay Panchal

Less than two months after Ascension completed its $3.9 billion acquisition of Amsurg, the ambulatory surgery platform has expanded its gastroenterology network by adding five endoscopy centers in North Carolina, bringing 15 gastroenterologists and hepatologists into its network. The centers provide diagnostic and therapeutic GI services, including colonoscopies, upper endoscopies, and capsule endoscopy. The move underscores Amsurg’s aggressive post-acquisition growth strategy and reflects the continued wave of consolidation in outpatient gastroenterology, as health systems and ASC operators expand their GI footprint to strengthen regional market presence and meet growing demand for ambulatory care.

EvoEndo announced that more than 3,000 sedation-free transnasal endoscopy (TNE) procedures have been performed using its EvoEndo Endoscopy System across 70+ sites nationwide, with adoption by over 100 physicians. Designed for both pediatric and adult patients, the system enables upper GI endoscopy without sedation, allowing patients to avoid anesthesia, recover immediately, and undergo procedures in outpatient clinic settings. The milestone reflects growing clinical adoption of less invasive endoscopy and highlights the potential for sedation-free TNE to improve patient experience, expand access to care, and reduce procedural burden for healthcare providers.

Thomas J. Serena will retire as CEO of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) on December 31, 2026, concluding a leadership tenure that transformed the organization beyond its traditional role as a scientific society. Under his leadership, AGA strengthened its financial position, expanded its advocacy efforts, modernized governance, and invested in innovation and new member-focused initiatives. As AGA begins the search for its next CEO, the leadership transition comes at a time when the organization is playing an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of gastroenterology through policy, education, and digital innovation.

The FDA has approved Freenome’s SimpleScreen CRC, a blood-based colorectal cancer screening test that will be exclusively commercialized by Abbott in the U.S. for average-risk adults aged 45 and older. The approval expands noninvasive screening options for the estimated 60 million Americans who are overdue for colorectal cancer screening, although colonoscopy and stool-based tests remain the preferred screening methods. Clinical data showed the test detected 81.1% of colorectal cancers with 90.4% specificity for advanced colorectal neoplasia, positioning it to compete with Guardant Health’s Shield blood test in the growing blood-based cancer screening market.

A single preoperative blood sample may help improve the prediction of recurrence or metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer. A joint research team from KAIST, Gangnam Severance Hospital, and Asan Medical Center has shown that, as colorectal cancer advances, the network of relationships among circulating amino acids (a kind of metabolic map) undergoes systematic remodeling. Building on this finding, the researchers developed an analytical method that showed higher predictive performance than a CEA-only model and models based solely on individual amino acid levels.

At-home stool tests have made colorectal cancer screening more accessible, but their effectiveness depends on patients repeating them every year. This article highlights new research showing that nearly half of patients fail to stay on schedule after an initial negative test—and that proactive outreach from healthcare systems can significantly improve long-term adherence. The findings reinforce an important message for clinicians: convenient screening is only effective when it becomes routine. While colonoscopy remains the gold standard, health systems that combine annual FIT testing with reminders and patient engagement may detect more cancers earlier and improve screening participation across large populations.

Artificial intelligence is doing more than improving colonoscopy detection—it’s helping more patients complete screening in the first place. This case study highlights how Atlantic Health is using AI-powered patient outreach to answer prep questions, reduce cancellations, and streamline communication, making one of medicine’s most effective cancer screening tests easier to navigate. The article also explores the operational impact of AI, from easing administrative workloads to standardizing patient education across multiple sites. Early results suggest that thoughtfully implemented AI can improve both the patient experience and practice efficiency without replacing physician oversight.

Benjamin H. Levy III, MD: Welcome to Pearls & Polyps. I’m your host, Benjamin Levy, a gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago. Today, we’re joined by Dr Neil Stollman, gastroenterologist and chief of gastroenterology at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Oakland, California. Dr Stollman is past chairman of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Board of Governors and currently serves as treasurer of the Board of Trustees. He is also helping lead efforts to update the ACG diverticulitis guidelines. Dr Stollman is first author of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) 2015 guideline on managing acute diverticulitis and has contributed to…

Abbott’s $21 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences is already reshaping its diagnostics business. In its first full quarter since the deal closed, the company reported strong growth driven by Cologuard, while outlining a broader strategy that combines stool- and blood-based colorectal cancer screening to expand its cancer diagnostics portfolio. The article also explores Abbott’s long-term vision for colorectal cancer screening, why the company believes both testing approaches have a role despite current guideline preferences, and how recent product launches and strategic partnerships could influence the future of early cancer detection.