Is Mass Screening for Barrett ’s Esophagus a Myth or Reality?

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is the main histologic type of esophageal cancer in the West with an estimated incidence of 52,000 cases worldwide in 2012.1 Mathematical models predict a continued increase in EAC incidence with a near doubling of mortality in the United States between 2011 and 2030 compared with the previous 20 years.2 More than 40 % of patients with EAC are diagnosed after the disease has metastasized, which translates to dismal survival.3 Hope lies in the fact that the cancer can be reliably cured when detected early and if detected at a mucosal stage, it can even be treated endoscopically.
Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research