Jefferson Marks Fifth Year Using Groundbreaking New Treatment for Esophageal Damage that Could Lead to Cancer
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is celebrating its fifth anniversary using a leading-edge therapy that has transformed the treatment of Barrett's Esophagus, a condition caused when digestive acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing damage and the growth of abnormal cells. Left untreated, Barrett's Esophagus can in rare cases lead to esophageal cancer, an aggressive cancer that is typically fatal. A common treatment for Barrett’s Esophagus even a decade ago was radical surgery in which the esophagus was removed and the stomach was moved up to the neck.
“We can now remove these precancerous cells as an outpatient and prevent cancer, and keep people from requiring life-altering surgery in the majority of cases. If, however, there is more advanced disease, our skilled esophageal surgeons will do what needs to be done to save their lives, said Anthony Infantolino, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
The new treatment, known as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), was pioneered at Jefferson by Dr. Infantolino. In RFA, a special tool is used, composed of a long rod with a balloon at the end. The physician inflates the balloon to the size of the esophagus, and then sends an electrical charge which removes a thin layer of outer esophageal tissue. This treatment can completely reverse the damage to esophagus tissue in over 90 percent of cases, returning it to normal. Dr. Infantolino has used RFA on 140 patients and 350 procedures, making Jefferson the regional leader in implementing this new technology.
Joining Dr. Infantolino in performing this procedure at Jefferson are Daniel Quirk, MD; Ali Siddiqui, MD; and David Kastenberg, MD.
To maximize the success of the procedure, Jefferson is able to take advantage of its pathologists, diagnostic laboratories, and radiology department, all highly experienced in the testing and evaluation of Barrett’s Esophagus and other esophageal conditions.
The therapy takes four procedures, but side effects are minimal and the patient can return to work within days of each procedure. The treatment was recently included as a standard of care for Barrett’s Esophagus in the American Gastroenterological Association’s Medical Position Statement on the Management of Barrett’s Esophagus. Gastroenterology 2011; 140:1084-1091.
Media Only Contact:
Katharine Krauss
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Phone: (215) 955-6300
Published: 4/28/2011