Screening and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus.
Screening and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus is a matter of discussion in the current world literature due to uncertainties concerning its cost-effectiveness. Important and valid arguments for and against it are available. Despite the fact that this issue is still to be resolved, screening using standard gastroscopy once in a lifetime and surveillance using repeated endoscopies with multiple blind biopsies are widely practiced by individual gastroenterologists. Further studies that mainly focus on finding better predictors of progression to cancer are needed to be able to prepare clear and useful guidelines. The ultimate aim of screening and surveillance should be decrease in mortality from esophageal adenocarcinoma resulting from Barrett's esophagus.
Department of Gastroenterology, Medical Center for Postgraduate Education, and Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland. jregula@coi.waw.pl
Jaroslaw
J
Regula
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000517:prevention & control; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity