Je. Richter et Gw. Falk, BARRETTS-ESOPHAGUS AND ADENOCARCINOMA - THE NEED FOR A CONSENSUS CONFERENCE, Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 23(2), 1996, pp. 88-90
The fear of cancer has evoked calls fbr intensive surveillance program
s in Barrett's esophagus, Two evolving issues are fueling this fire: (
a) the rising risk of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus over the past 20
years and (b) the coincidental increase in the recognized prevalence
of Barrett's esophagus in the general population. However, these sober
ing statistics must be carefully weighed against the lack of adverse e
ffects on survival and the cost of an extensive surveillance program f
or adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus, the latter estimated al betw
een $300 and $1,500 million per year, Barrett's esophagus and its asso
ciated cancer risk represent a crisis in gastroenterology. A consensus
conference of leading basic and clinical scientists is needed in this
area.