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NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 4, 2010) Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment in eliminating Barrett's esophagus, an electronic "nose" offers a fast and effective way to detect inflammatory bowel disease, artificial replacements are now being developed to replace gastrointestinal tissue that is removed, and researchers find that endoscopic ampullectomy for treating ampullary adenoma (tumors of the bile duct) is more precise than surgery with fewer side effects. These are among the studies being presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010. DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the field of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.
"Advancements in technology are changing the face of medicine daily," said Kenneth K. Wang, MD, FASGE, AGAF, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Rochester, MN. "With every development we are able to diagnose and treat illness more effectively and at an earlier stage."
Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation for Barrett's Esophagus: Five-Year Durability Outcomes from a Prospective Multi-Center Trial (Abstract #358)
Barrett's esophagus (BE), a condition that may lead to esophageal cancer, can often be eliminated using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and most patients remain free of BE five years following initial procedure, according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic. These findings may lead to changes in the current recommendations of constant surveillance of BE for progression into esophageal cancer. About one in 200 patients with the earliest form of Barrett's develop esophageal cancer each year, one of the fastest growing cancers.
In this prospective, multi-center trial conducted from May 2004 to November 2009, researchers performed endoscopic RFA, designed to burn away the abnormal Barrett's cells, in patients with intestinal metaplasia. For 50 RFA patients in whom BE had been eliminated at the two and a half year assessmen
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| Contact: Amy Levey alevey@gymr.com 202-745-5116 Digestive Disease Week Source:Eurekalert |