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Mucosal Ablation in Patients with Barrett’s Esophagus: Fry or Freeze?

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Abstract

The management of Barrett’s esophagus and early esophageal adenocarcinoma has shifted away from esophagectomy and toward endoscopic techniques, including endoscopic resection and ablative therapies. The most commonly used ablative therapies are radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy. Radiofrequency ablation has risen to the top of the management algorithm due to its favorable safety profile and established track record of efficacy in patients with dysplastic Barrett’s. Cryotherapy offers early promise as an alternatively safe and effective ablative modality. We review radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy techniques, and updated data regarding their efficacy and safety as well as their roles in the management of Barrett’s esophagus.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support of NCI U01 CA182940 and U54 CA163004 as well as support from the Van Cleve development fund.

Funding

Research funding (KKW) has been obtained from Fujinon America (Allendale, NJ), Boston Scientific (Boston, MA), and C2 (Redwood City, CA).

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Correspondence to Kenneth K. Wang.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Wang has served as an investigator and consultant for Fujinon American (Allendale, NJ), Boston Scientific (Boston, MA), and C2 (Redwood City, CA).

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Visrodia, K., Zakko, L. & Wang, K.K. Mucosal Ablation in Patients with Barrett’s Esophagus: Fry or Freeze?. Dig Dis Sci 63, 2129–2135 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-018-5064-x

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