SAN DIEGO—Gastroenterologists have debated the best course of action for patients with Barrett’s esophagus for decades. Which is better for detecting early malignancy and preventing progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) — surveillance endoscopy at regular intervals or only when symptoms occur? Does one offer a better chance of survival than the other? Now, researchers who … Read more
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released an expert review and clinical practice update focusing on esophageal dysfunction caused by immune-mediated and infectious diseases. “Many different disorders can lead to esophageal dysfunction, which is characterized by symptoms including dysphagia, odynophagia, chest pain and heartburn. These symptoms can be caused either by immune or infectious conditions … Read more
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released a clinical practice update synthesizing current available evidence and expert opinion on peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) to treat achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders. “Any patient suspected to have achalasia, or difficulty swallowing for that matter, should undergo a comprehensive diagnostic workup, and that should include clinical history, … Read more
TOPLINE: Dysbiosis of the oral microbiome is associated with various upper gastrointestinal (UGI) disorders and precancerous lesions, with specific microbial signatures varying by disease and oral site, research shows. METHODOLOGY: Emerging evidence suggests that the oral microbiota may contribute to the development of gastrointestinal malignancies, leading to efforts to identify biomarkers for early detection and … Read more
TOPLINE: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is not associated with the development of esophageal cancer in privately insured US adults younger than 65 years. METHODOLOGY: Because chronic inflammation is associated with several cancers, but some studies suggest that allergic inflammation, like that of EoE, might offer a protective benefit, researchers examined whether EoE is linked with esophageal … Read more