Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy for BE with Dysplasia

Radiofrequency ablation completely eradicated dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia in most patients and lowered risk for disease progression.

Although Barrett esophagus is typically a metaplasia of the epithelium, it can progress to low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and cancer. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as an alternative to radical esophagectomy in patients with HGD or early cancer. Now, researchers have assessed the ability of RFA to eradicate dysplastic BE and decrease the rate of neoplastic progression.

In this industry-sponsored, multicenter study, 127 patients with dysplastic BE were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either RFA or a sham procedure. Participants were stratified by the grade of their dysplasia; 64 had LGD and 63 had HGD. Those in the RFA group could receive up to four ablation sessions. BE was initially ablated wit…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors