[Are screening programs in Barrett esophagus meaningful?].
This review analyses whether the assumption is justified that endoscopic screening in patients with Barrett's syndrome facilitates early recognition of cancer and leads to prolongation of life. It is shown that no reliable data exist that would support the latter conclusion. Although there is scant information that some patients may benefit from close surveillance, it appears unlikely that an all too ambitious surveillance program will either be cost effective or acceptable for patients and/or endoscopy centers.
Deutsche Klinik für Diagnostik, Wiesbaden.
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Eckardt
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors