Oesophageal disorders: future developments

Elicitation of the characteristic symptom patterns remains the primary approach to the diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and this may be enhanced by developments in the use of high-resolution endoscopy and oesophageal biopsy. For future therapy, proton pump inhibitors and anti-reflux surgery may compete with reversible acid pump blockers, reflux inhibitor drugs and diverse luminally delivered physical anti-reflux therapies. Short-segment Barrett's oesophagus is known to be highly prevalent, but its impact on the risk of adenocarcinoma remains poorly defined. Biomarkers for Barrett's oesophagus have been proposed to aid in the stratification of cancer risk, and cytology may assume more importance in the future. Endoscopic surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus is widely practised, but more data are needed to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and a positive impact on mortality. Animal and limited human studies suggest that chemoprevention may become an important strategy in reducing the risk of adenocarcinoma. The ablation of Barrett's epithelium results in a reversal of Barrett's epithelium, albeit with an uncertain long-term outcome.