Radiofrequency ablation effective in preventing esophageal cancer, study finds

UK: In a new study conducted by Paul Wolfson and team, it was shown that Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy is both effective and long-lasting in the prevention of esophageal cancer. The majority of therapy relapses occur early and may be effectively treated again. The findings of this study were published in the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

This study was conducted with the purpose to check long-term durability data on radiofrequency ablation's usefulness in preventing esophageal cancer in individuals with dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) are inadequate.

This study collected data from 2,535 individuals with neoplasia (20% low-grade dysplasia, 54% high-grade dysplasia, 26% intramucosal carcinoma) and BE (mean length 5.2cm, range 1-20cm) who had RFA treatment in 28 UK institutions. Invasive cancer rates were assessed, and a comprehensive study of 1,175 patients was undertaken to determine clearance rates of dysplasia (CR-D) and intestinal metaplasia (CR-IM) within 2 years after initiating RFA therapy. Relapse rates and rates of return to CR-D (CR-D2) and CR-IM (CR-IM2) following further therapy were also carefully examined. The lack of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia on biopsies collected during two successive endoscopies indicated the presence of CR-D and CR-IM.