Current Research
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ongoing studies are being conducted to find more effective treatments for Barrett's esophagus.Treatments that are being evaluated in clinical trials include using heat energy (called thermocoagulative mucosal ablation) and light energy (called photodynamic laser therapy) to destroy abnormal esophageal tissue. Surgical removal of affected areas of the esophageal lining through an endoscope (called endoscopic mucosal resection) also is being studied.
Because advanced esophageal cancer has a poor prognosis (expected outcome), continued research is needed to determine how to stop the progression of Barrett's esophagus and how to better identify patients with the condition who are highest risk for developing adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.
Additional research includes genetic studies to identify inherited risk factors for Barrett's esophagus and clinical trials to determine the effects of certain medications on disease progression.
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 29 Feb 2008
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 22 Feb 2008
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