Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Diagnosis of Neoplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus using Vital-dye Enhanced Fluorescence Imaging
Published on: May 11, 2014
Does anti-reflux surgery disrupt the pathway of Barrett's esophagus progression to cancer?
Sebastian F Schoppmann1, Ivan Kristo1, Martin Riegler2
1Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, and Gastroesophageal Tumor Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC), Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
In patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE), anti-reflux surgery aims to sustainable control reflux symptoms and heal reflux induced esophageal mucosal inflammation and prevent progression of BE to adenocarcinoma. There is growing evidence that beside gastric acid, bile salts in refluxed duodenal juice are responsible for the development and progression of BE. However, the pathogenesis of BE progression and the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence of the adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (EAC) is multifactorial and occurs over long natural time course. After anti-reflux surgery significant levels of regression from metaplastic Barrett's to non-metaplastic epithelium as well as from dysplastic to non-dysplastic BE have been observed and a randomized trial showed that sufficient surgical reflux control reduces the risk of Barrett's progression significantly when compared to medical treatment. Thus, large cohort studies show significant reduced risk of EAC in patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with and without BE after anti-reflux surgery. Even after anti-reflux surgery the risk for EAC remains elevated in patients with BE and the right moment of intercepting the progressive nature of GERD has to be discussed in future. The paper also addresses the impact of anti-reflux surgery, endoscopic ablation and life style therapies for the management of GERD, BE and cancer prevention.
Related Concept Videos
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management
Clinical Manifestations
GERD presents itself in a multitude of ways, with symptoms varying from person to person. The hallmark symptoms are...
Barrett Esophagus-I: Introduction
This constant acid exposure transforms the esophagus's pink mucosal lining (stratified squamous epithelium) into a type of lining more similar...
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure entails...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Esophageal Achalasia

