Strategies to Improve Treatment - Barrett's Esophagus

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Chandra P. Belani, MD
Deputy Director, Penn State Cancer Institute
Miriam Beckner Professor of Medicine
Penn State University School of Medicine

Researchers are currently investigating new treatments for Barret's esophagus. Participation in trials of these treatments can lead to improved therapies. If you wish to participate in a clinical trial, please talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and side effects of the treatment.

Reversal therapy - Because Barrett's esophagus and associated dysplastic changes limit themselves to the surface lining of the esophagus, researchers continue to evaluate new methods of reversing these changes.

Below are three methods of burning off the abnormal cells; all methods use an endoscope. These methods are:

• Electrocoagulation - Uses electricity
• Heater probe (thermal ablation) - Uses heat
• Argon plasma coagulation - Uses electrically conducting argon gas

Other strategies include:

• Photodynamic laser treatment - This treatment involves injecting a drug that is sensitive to light into a vein. The abnormal cells take up this drug. About 48 hours later, the patient returns for upper endoscopy. During the endoscopy, the physician passes a red, non-heat-producing laser light through the endoscope and directs this light onto the abnormal cells. The reaction between the laser and the drug destroys the abnormal cells.
• Chemoprevention - investigational at present
  

It is necessary to conduct more long-term studies to know whether any of these treatments can prevent cancer from developing.