Treatment of Barrett's esophagus: update on new endoscopic surgical modalities

Barrett's esophagus represents a premalignant condition, which is strongly associated with the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Currently, there are no validated markers to extract exactly that certain patient that will proceed to neoplastic progression. Therefore, therapeutic options have to include a larger population to provide prophylaxis for affected patients. Recently developed endoscopic therapeutic approaches offer treatment options for prevention or even treatment of limited esophageal adenocarcinoma. At present, high eradication rates of intestinal metaplasia as well as dysplasia are observed, whereas low complication rates offer a convenient safety profile. These striking new methods symbolize a changing paradigm in a field, where minimal-invasive tissue ablating methods and tissue preserving techniques have led to modified regimens. This review will focus on current standards and newly emerging methods to treat Barrett's esophagus and its progression to cancer and will highlight their evolution, potential benefits and their limitations.