BACKGROUND & AIMS: Surgical resection of the esophagus is frequently recommended for Barrett's high-grade dysplasia (HGD) without cancer. METHODS: During a 20-year period, patients were diagnosed and observed through an organized surveillance program at the Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital. The program was supported by Hines VA and organized and managed by 2 endoscopists using preestablished endoscopic criteria. RESULTS: Barrett's esophagus was diagnosed in 1099 patients, and 36,251 esophageal mucosal specimens were reviewed. Seventy-nine of 1099 patients (7.2%) initially had HGD (34 prevalent) or subsequently developed HGD (45 incident) without evidence of cancer. Of the 75 HGD patients who remained without detectable cancer after the 1 year of intensive searching, 12 developed cancer (16%) during a mean 7.3-year surveillance period: 11 of the 12 who were compliant were considered cured with surgical or ablation therapy. Cancer did not develop in the remaining 63 HGD patients during the surveillance period. CONCLUSIONS: HGD without cancer in Barrett's esophagus follows a relatively benign course in the majority of patients. In the patients who eventually progress to cancer during regular surveillance, surgical resection is curative. Surveillance endoscopies with biopsy is a valid and safe follow-up strategy for Barrett's patients who have HGD without cancer.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Surgical resection of the esophagus is frequently recommended for Barrett's high-grade dysplasia (HGD) without cancer. METHODS: During a 20-year period, patients were diagnosed and observed through an organized surveillance program at the Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital. The program was supported by Hines VA and organized and managed by 2 endoscopists using preestablished endoscopic criteria. RESULTS: Barrett's esophagus was diagnosed in 1099 patients, and 36,251 esophageal mucosal specimens were reviewed. Seventy-nine of 1099 patients (7.2%) initially had HGD (34 prevalent) or subsequently developed HGD (45 incident) without evidence of cancer. Of the 75 HGD patients who remained without detectable cancer after the 1 year of intensive searching, 12 developed cancer (16%) during a mean 7.3-year surveillance period: 11 of the 12 who were compliant were considered cured with surgical or ablation therapy. Cancer did not develop in the remaining 63 HGD patients during the surveillance period. CONCLUSIONS: HGD without cancer in Barrett's esophagus follows a relatively benign course in the majority of patients. In the patients who eventually progress to cancer during regular surveillance, surgical resection is curative. Surveillance endoscopies with biopsy is a valid and safe follow-up strategy for Barrett's patients who have HGD without cancer.
Authors: K K Wang; J M Tian; E Gorospe; J Penfield; G Prasad; T Goddard; M Wongkeesong; N S Buttar; L Lutzke; S Krishnadath Journal: Dis Esophagus Date: 2012-03-12 Impact factor: 3.429