Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0017168 (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
 11,783 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

With the high prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux-like symptoms in the United States and the association between GERD symptoms and the premalignant condition of BE, there is more and more demand for new and efficacious techniques to treat BE. A wide variety of endoscopic mucosal ablative techniques have been developed with promising initial results. Long-term control of neoplastic risk, however, has not been demonstrated, and most studies demonstrate that there is still potentially some intestinal mucosa present underneath squamous mucosa. Currently, more study is needed to determine which patient groups require therapy of any kind and to determine which therapies would be the most efficacious. Genetic markers may aid in identification of subgroups that are at risk for cancer and help to identify those who would respond to mucosal therapy. Even in patients who have HGD, subgroups of patients who have focal HGD have been found to have better prognosis than those who have more widespread HGD. Currently, there is sufficient information to consider mucosal ablative techniques in patients who are not good surgical candidates. Photodynamic therapy, APC, KTP, Nd:YAG and argon lasers, MPEC, and EMR may provide good alternatives, depending on the degree of dysplasia, the extent of disease, and the age of the patient. Photodynamic therapy and Nd:YAG laser therapy have been applied to more neoplastic lesions, whereas KTP:YAG, APC, and multipolar coagulation have been successful in nondysplastic Barrett's mucosa. In the future, there will be more information to justify the application of mucosal ablative therapy in selected patients.
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PMID:Role of mucosal ablative therapy in the treatment of the columnar-lined esophagus. 1190 29

Barrett's metaplasia of some extent is found commonly in patients with GERD. Detection is possible only by endoscopy and biopsy of the columnar appearing mucosa; no symptoms or signs distinguish patients with Barrett's metaplasia from those without. The management goals in patients with Barrett's are to alleviate reflux symptoms and to control the risk of adenocarcinoma. Symptom control is achieved primarily with PPIs. Acid inhibition does not, however, cause regression of Barrett's metaplasia and has not been shown to reduce the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The risk of adenocarcinoma is managed by surveillance with endoscopy and biopsy searching for dysplastic change. LGD merits more intense surveillance. The optimal management of HGD, however, remains controversial, as evidenced by the multitude of ablation therapies that have been introduced recently. These techniques will be discussed in depth in subsequent articles in this volume.
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PMID:Medical management of Barrett's esophagus. 1462 98