Photodynamic therapy in Barrett's esophagus: results of treatment of 17 patients.

BACKGROUND

Barrett's esophagus (BE) with dysplasia may progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment for BE.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if photodynamic therapy is an acceptable alternative to esophagectomy in BE patients with high-grade dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Seventeen patients were treated with photodynamic therapy for BE and high-grade dysplasia or early esophageal adenocarcinoma. Patients with residual Barrett's epithelium were treated with supplemental argon plasma coagulation or potassium titanyl phosphate laser. Patients underwent follow-up endoscopy three, six, nine and 12 months post-treatment, then every six to 12 months. Mean follow-up was 21 months.

RESULTS

High-grade dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma was completely eliminated in nine of 15 (60%) patients. High-grade dysplasia was downgraded in one patient, persisted in one patient and progressed in four patients. Two patients with early esophageal adenocarcinoma were nonresponders. Complications included stricture, sunburn, urticaria, small pleural effusions, esophageal spasm and transient atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSIONS

Photodynamic therapy with supplemental ablation is a good, noninvasive therapy for elimination of high-grade dysplasia and early adenocarcinoma in BE. Failure to eliminate dysplastic epithelium occurred in 40% of the patients, thereby necessitating careful follow-up.