Ablation and Aggressive Screening Help Manage Barrett’s Esophagus and Cancer Risk in Younger Patients

Hackensack University Medical Center taking proactive approach to prevent esophageal cancer in younger individuals with heightened risk

With gastrointestinal disease on the rise, Hackensack University Medical is seeing more cases of Barrett’s esophagus, especially in younger patients. When Barrett’s esophagus presents in younger individuals, it is often at a more advanced stage. In response, the center is performing more ablation procedures for the GERD-related disorder.

During ablation, physicians seek out and destroy any pre-cancerous tissue, so healthy cells can grow in their place. Ablation has evolved from using lasers and photo-sensitive elements, to RF/microwave and cryotherapy techniques delivered with an endoscope.

Ablation procedures are typically performed in 30 to 40 minutes, and newer techniques minimize patient discomfort. After an ablation, aggressive screening follows for 3 to 5 years (often indefinitely), as the likelihood of recurrence is higher for patients following dysplasia.

If a patient is found to have Barrett’s esophagus in an endoscopy screening, they have a higher risk of cancer. It’s not unlike finding a polyp in a colonoscopy screening, Rosario J. Ligresti, M.D. FASGE, Chief of Gastroenterology at Hackensack University Medical Center, explained. The parameters have evolved for who should receive ablation versus observation.

Patients under 50 years old with Barrett’s esophagus are more likely obese, use tobacco, and have experienced at least 10 years of reflux. This correlation presents a large demographic who stand to benefit from regular esophageal endoscopic screening, Dr. Ligresti noted. In Asia, such screening programs are already well established with success.

Learn more about Gastroenterology innovation at Hackensack University Medical Center.