Dr Michael Swan

Gastroenterologist | Interventional Endoscopist

Specialist in advanced endoscopic procedures, with a focus on bowel cancer prevention and minimally invasive treatment of digestive diseases.

About Dr Michael Swan

Dr Michael Swan is a gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist with the Victorian Gastroenterology Groupand Head of Endoscopy at Monash Health.

He specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive conditions, with particular expertise in bowel cancer screening, Barrett’s oesophagus and reflux disease, and advanced endoscopic procedures.

Many gastrointestinal conditions can now be diagnosed and treated using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, which often avoid the need for surgery. Dr Swan performs a range of advanced endoscopic procedures to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the oesophagus, stomach, bowel, pancreas and bile ducts.

Dr Swan is also actively involved in training doctors in endoscopy, research and developing advanced endoscopic services.

Areas of Expertise

• Bowel cancer screening and colonoscopy
• Colon polyp detection and removal
• Barrett’s oesophagus and reflux disease
• Therapeutic endoscopy
• ERCP for bile duct and pancreatic disease
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• Capsule endoscopy for small bowel investigation

Advanced Endoscopic Treatments

Dr Swan performs a number of specialised procedures that allow certain conditions to be treated endoscopically without surgery. These include:

• Removal of large or complex colon polyps
• Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)
• Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)
• Endoscopic treatment of Barrett’s oesophagus and dysplasia
• Gastric ESD for early gastric neoplasia
• POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) for achalasia
• ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound for biliary and pancreatic disease
• Capsule endoscopy to examine the small bowel

Dr Swan has expertise in advanced therapeutic endoscopy and regularly manages patients referred for complex endoscopic procedures, including large colon polyps, Barrett’s neoplasia, early gastrointestinal cancers and oesophageal motility disorders.

Dr Swan also regularly sees patients referred for more complex endoscopic procedures, particularly where specialised techniques may allow treatment to be performed endoscopically rather than surgically.

Common Reasons for Referral

Patients are commonly referred to Dr Swan for:

• Bowel cancer screening and colonoscopy
• Positive FOBT results
• Colon polyps or surveillance colonoscopy
• Reflux symptoms or Barrett’s oesophagus
• Abdominal pain or changes in bowel habit
• Anaemia or unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms
• Swallowing difficulties or dysphagia

Referrals are also welcomed for advanced or complex endoscopic procedures.

Approach to Patient Care

Dr Swan takes a thorough, calm and reassuring approach to patient care.

He believes it is important that patients understand their condition and feel comfortable discussing their concerns and treatment options. His approach focuses on shared decision making, prevention and early diagnosis.

Where possible, he aims to use minimally invasive endoscopic treatments that allow patients to recover quickly and avoid more invasive surgery.

Consulting and Procedure Locations

Dr Swan consults and performs procedures at several centres across Melbourne, including:

• Holmesglen Private Hospital
• Jessie McPherson Private Hospital
• Chesterville Day Hospital
• Monash Health

Referrals

Dr Swan accepts GP referrals and direct access endoscopy referrals, including colonoscopy for bowel cancer screening.

Referrals are also welcomed for advanced or complex endoscopic procedures.