Stanley D. Cho, MD

The procedures that I perform most often are upper and lower endoscopy. For an upper endoscopy, we insert a flexible tube with a light and camera at its tip into the mouth and throat to see the esophagus and stomach (this is called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy). For a lower endoscopy, we insert the tube into the rectum to view the intestine via colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. These procedures help me to gather important diagnostic information; they also provide the opportunity to perform some procedures, when relevant and necessary.

I genuinely enjoy working with children and their families, and I find it immensely rewarding to be a part of their care journey. When I meet a new patient and family, I do my best to put myself in their shoes and understand what they are feeling. By the time they see me, they have already been through a lot, and they often come to me with a variety of questions and concerns. They often ask:

• Are these issues related to my child’s cancer and/or its treatment?
• How will these digestive/liver issues and their treatment affect my child’s cancer therapy?
• Do these issues mean the cancer is getting worse?

Because my patients’ situations are complex, good communication between our team, the patient, and their family is crucial to comprehensive and safe diagnosis and treatment. I ensure that families, including their kids, are heard, and I involve the child in our discussions as much as it is appropriate. After seeing me, I hope patients and their families feel heard and reassured that I will do my best to address their concerns and treat them with care and dedication.