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TREATMENT OPTIONS

Discover Radio Frequency Ablation  

Radiofrequency ablation is a proactive treatment for patients diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus who want to reduce their risk of progression to oesophageal cancer. 

Frequently asked questions

What is Radio Frequency Ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat to remove precancerous tissue damaged by Barrett’s oesophagus. Radiofrequency ablation technology is designed for the removal of tissue affected by Barrett’s, while preserving the underlying healthy tissue.

Barrett’s oesophagus patients treated with radiofrequency ablation are less likely to progress to oesophageal cancer compared to patients who undergo surveillance. Radiofrequency ablation can reduce the relative risk of disease progression to cancer by up to 94 percent.1-3

Step-by-step procedure

Always follow the instructions specified by your physician or the nursing staff. Always follow the discharge instructions provided by your physician after your procedure.

STEP 01

Before therapy

No eating or drinking after midnight the day before the procedure. Arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure. If you take aspirin or blood thinning medication, you will receive instructions from your doctor about whethr to stop taking them before each endoscopy.

Barrett's Esophagus - Patients and Stages

Step-by-step procedure

Always follow the instructions specified by your physician or the nursing staff. Always follow the discharge instructions provided by your physician after your procedure.

STEP 02

During therapy

Ablation therapy is performed in conjunction with an upper endoscopy. The treatment is performed under sedation in an outpatient setting and no incisions are involved. While the average procedure time is 30 minutes, the actual time can vary depending on the physician’s experience and the difficulty of the case. 

Old Woman with friend

Step-by-step procedure

Always follow the instructions specified by your physician or the nursing staff. Always follow the discharge instructions provided by your physician after your procedure.

STEP 03

After the procedure

Your physician will schedule a follow-up appointment within two to three months after the procedure. If any residual Barrett's tissue is found, your physician will ablate it. Regular monitoring with endoscopies and biopsies are recommended even after radiofrequency ablation therapy. 

Barrett's Esophagus - Patients and Stages
Barrett's Esophagus - Patients and Stages

The procedure

 

 RFA uses an array of parallel alternating electrodes to deliver radiofrequency energy that heats the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, destroying the tissue.

More information

Find helpful downloads, FAQ’s, and other useful tools related to diagnosing or treating Barrett’s.

Follow the discharge instructions provided by your physician after the RFA procedure. You may experience mild discomfort after the procedure, and your doctor may provide medications to help with your symptoms.

1 Shaheen NJ, Sharma P, Overholt BF, et al. Radiofrequency ablation in Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia. N Engl J Med 2009;360:2277-88

2 Phoa KN, van Vilsteren FG, Pouw RE, Weusten BL, et al. Radiofrequency ablation vs endoscopic surveillance for patients with Barrett esophagus and low-grade dysplasia: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2014 Mar 26;311(12):1209-17

3 Wolf  WA, Pasricha S, Cotton C, et al. Incidence of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma and Causes of Mortality after Radiofrequency Ablation of Barrett's esophagus. Gastroenterology. 2015;149:1752-1761