Douglas O. Faigel, M.D.

The primary research interests of Douglas O. Faigel, M.D., are in advanced endoscopy, including endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); pancreatic and biliary diseases; esophageal cancer; and quality measurement and improvement in endoscopy.

Dr. Faigel is particularly interested in endoscopic oncology and understanding how gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy can be used to manage patients with cancer. This includes diagnosis, staging and treatment with either curative or palliative intent.

Focus areas

Recent research projects have included:

• Assessment of EUS-guided tissue sampling for diagnosis of GI stromal tumors and other subepithelial tumors
• Improving the accuracy of EUS diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasms through imaging and gene expression analysis
• Investigating the impact of EUS on GI cancer management and outcome
• Developing new quality measures for colonoscopy and endoscopy
• Investigating the role of colonoscopy in the evaluation of patients with melena
• Analyzing new tumor markers for pancreatic cancers and mucinous lesions
• Developing new EUS-guided and endoscopic treatments for pancreatic cystic neoplasms and GI stromal tumors
• Developing models for endoscopic treatment of cancers, including endoscopic injection of chemotherapeutics
• Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)

Significance to patient care

Dr. Faigel's research focuses on using flexible endoscopy as a minimally invasive tool for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Early diagnosis of cancer, for example, will allow more patients to be cured.

Flexible endoscopes also give doctors access to cancers and pre-malignant lesions, such as polyps and pancreas cysts. Treatment delivered through endoscopes could replace more formal surgical resections with fewer complications and at a lower cost.

Dr. Faigel has also been a pioneer in the field of quality assurance and improvement in endoscopy, ensuring that patients receive only the highest quality of care.

Professional highlights

• Treasurer, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2011-present
• Quality in Endoscopic Research Award, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2010
• Chair, Quality in Endoscopy Taskforce, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2006-2009
• Co-Chair, Digestive Workgroup on Credentialing and Quality Assurance, World Endoscopy Organization
• Associate Editor, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 1999-2005