Simplified versus standard regimen for focal radiofrequency ablation of dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Background: For focal radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's oesophagus, a simplified regimen (3 × 15 J/cm, without cleaning) has proven to be as effective as the standard regimen (2 × 15 J/cm, followed by cleaning, followed by 2 × 15 J/cm). However, this simplified regimen seemed to be associated with a higher stenosis rate. Therefore, we lowered the radiofrequency energy and hypothesised that this new simplified regimen would be as effective and safe as the standard regimen.

Pseudo-buried Barrett's post radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's esophagus, with or without prior endoscopic resection.

Background And Study Aim: In our experience, biopsies from small residual islands of nonburied Barrett's mucosa after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are occasionally reported by pathologists to contain "buried Barrett's" upon histological evaluation, despite the fact that these islands of columnar mucosa were visible endoscopically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of buried Barrett's in biopsies obtained from small residual Barrett's islands ( < 5 mm) sampled post-RFA, compared with biopsies from normal neosquamous epithelium.

Patients And Methods: Biopsies obtained from normal-appearing neosquamous epithelium and from small Barrett's islands ( < 5 mm) in 69 consecutive Barrett's patients treated with RFA were evaluated for the presence of buried columnar mucosa.

A simplified regimen for focal radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's mucosa: a randomized multicenter trial comparing two ablation regimens.

Background: The currently recommended regimen for focal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of Barrett's esophagus (BE) comprises 2 applications of energy, cleaning of the device and ablation zone, and 2 additional applications of energy. A simplified regimen may be of clinical utility if it is faster, easier, and equally safe and effective.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of 2 focal RFA regimens.

Circumferential balloon-based radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia can be simplified, yet efficacy maintained, by omitting the cleaning phase.

Background & Aims: The current procedure for circumferential balloon-based radiofrequency ablation (c-RFA) for the removal of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) is labor intensive, comprising 2 ablation passes with a cleaning step to remove debris from the ablation zone and electrode. We compared the safety and efficacy of 3 different c-RFA ablation regimens.

Methods: We performed a prospective trial of consecutive patients with flat-type BE with high-grade dysplasia.

Stepwise radical endoscopic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's oesophagus with high-grade dysplasia or early cancer: a multicentre randomised trial.

Objective: After focal endoscopic resection (ER) of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or early cancer (EC) in Barrett's oesophagus (BO), eradication of all remaining BO reduces the recurrence risk. The aim of this study was to compare the safety of stepwise radical ER (SRER) versus focal ER followed by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for complete eradication of BO containing HGD/EC.

Methods: A multicentre randomised clinical trial was carried out in three tertiary centres.

Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation combined with endoscopic resection for barrett's esophagus with early neoplasia.

Background & Aims: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is safe and effective for eradicating intestinal metaplasia and neoplasia in patients with Barrett's esophagus. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of RFA in conjunction with baseline endoscopic resection for high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) and early cancer.

Methods: This multicenter, prospective cohort study included 24 patients (mean age, 65 years; median Barrett's esophagus, 8 cm), with Barrett's esophagus of < or =12 cm containing HGIN or early cancer, from 3 European tertiary-care medical centers.

Properties of the neosquamous epithelium after radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus containing neoplasia.

Objectives: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) eradicates intestinal metaplasia and intraepithelial neoplasia associated with Barrett's esophagus (BE), restoring an endoscopically normal neosquamous epithelium (NSE). We evaluated the post-RFA NSE for genetic abnormalities and buried glandular mucosa.

Methods: Eligible patients underwent RFA for BE containing early cancer and/or high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia with subsequent complete histological reversion to normal NSE.

Successful balloon-based radiofrequency ablation of a widespread early squamous cell carcinoma and high-grade dysplasia of the esophagus: a case report.

Background: For selected patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and/or early esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC), endoscopic therapy represents a nonsurgical treatment option. For widespread lesions, however, current endoscopic treatment modalities (eg, endoscopic resection, argon plasma coagulation, photodynamic therapy) are associated with considerable drawbacks, of which esophageal stricturing is the most significant. Balloon-based radiofrequency (RF) ablation (HALO System) is a promising technology for endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus, and may also play a role in treating widespread HGD and early ESCC.

Eradication of Barrett esophagus with early neoplasia by radiofrequency ablation, with or without endoscopic resection.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective for complete eradication of nondysplastic Barrett esophagus (BE). The aim was to report the combined results of two published and two ongoing studies on radiofrequency ablation of BE with early neoplasia, as presented at SSAT presidential plenary session DDW 2008.

Methods: Enrolled patients had BE < or = 12 cm with early neoplasia.

A comparative analysis by SAGE of gene expression profiles of esophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are the two main types of esophageal cancer. Despite extensive research the exact molecular basis of these cancers is unclear. Therefore we evaluated the transcriptome of EA in comparison to non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE), the metaplastic epithelium that predisposes for EA, and compared the transcriptome of ESCC to normal esophageal squamous epithelium.