Carpe luz--seize the light: endoprevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma when using photodynamic therapy with porfimer sodium.

摘要

Barrett's high-grade dysplasia is a difficult disease that mostly occurs in elderly patients with many medical problems. Often, these patients understand that esophageal cancer is a lethal disease but are unwilling to accept the mortality risks and long-term consequences associated with esophageal resection surgery. Indeed, many of these patients are not operative candidates. It is critically important that gastroenterologists and internists embrace their vital role in educating these patients about their treatment options. The study by Overholt et al firmly establishes the role of porfimer sodium PDT as the treatment of choice for patients with Barrett's high-grade dysplasia, with esophagectomy reserved for the 4% to 6% of patients who fail PDT. Carpe Lux-seize the light!