title: Laser ablation therapies for Barrett's esophagus.
abstract: The metaplastic change of the normal squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus into a specialized columnar epithelium is known as Barrett's esophagus (BE) and is associated with an increased risk of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. It is a frequent complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and up to 10% of patients with GERD suffer from BE. The progression to dysplasia increases the risk of cancer development and the annual risk of developing cancer in Barrett's esophagus is estimated to be 0.5% per year. The management of BE with high grade dysplasia (HGD) is controversial. Recent innovations in endoscopic therapy have allowed for the development of multiple endoscopic techniques, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), argon plasma coagulation (APC), and endoscopic mucosal resection. In this article, we will discuss primarily photodynamic therapy, and other ablative technologies such as argon plasma coagulation in the treatment of BE.
authors.affiliation: Heart, Lung, and Esophageal Surgery Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Ghulam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: Arjun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pennathur
authors.forename: Samuel B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Keeley
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Landreneau
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Luketich
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001128:Argon / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D001128:Argon; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether