What happens in this study?
-
We will review your medical records and results of any procedures you’ve had before related to your Barrett’s esophagus to make sure you are able to participate.
-
If you are able and agree to participate, you will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to one of the two different treatments: endoscopic surveillance or endoscopic eradication therapy.
-
Before your first upper endoscopy and throughout the study, we will ask you to complete questionnaires about your health, family, social and work history, and quality of life which will help us to learn which treatment is the better approach.
-
We will also collect blood and spit samples, as well as brushings and biopsies of your Barrett’s esophagus to inform future research on possible early markers of cancer.
If you are assigned to the endoscopic surveillance group:
Depending on when you received your diagnosis, you will have an initial upper endoscopy and then have additional upper endoscopies at regular intervals over the next 4 years.
You will also take medication that reduces the amount of stomach acid your body makes 2 times a day
Depending on when you received your diagnosis, you will have an initial upper endoscopy and then have additional upper endoscopies at regular intervals over the next 4 years.
If you are assigned to the endoscopic eradication therapy group:
You will have an initial endoscopic procedure, and then receive remaining procedures every 2-3 months until all the Barrett’s esophagus and low-grade dysplasia is completely removed (eradicated). This typically takes around 6 to 9 months
At each of the treatment endoscopies, you will have a burning treatment of the inner lining of your esophagus. This burning treatment destroys the Barrett’s esophagus, allowing the normal lining of the esophagus to grow back in.
After the Barrett’s esophagus has been removed, you will then have an upper endoscopy done once a year for the next 4 years. You will also take medication that reduces the amount of stomach acid your body makes 2 times a day