The surgeon’s perspective on oesophageal disease, and what it means to pathologists

GERD and its potential complications of Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma are now the most important disease processes for oesophageal surgeons. A major impact on this disease will likely come from the development of cost-effective screening and diagnostic modalities which identify patients who are at risk for developing oesophageal cancer. The surgical approach to Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma will continue to evolve in response to advances in ablative therapy and ER. The role of the pathologist, with expertise in the diagnosis of Barrett’s oesophagus, will become more prominent as we better define the histological predictors of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. A collaborative effort between pathologists and surgeons is essential in determining the timing and best approach for interventional therapy.