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RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION REFLUX TESTING AND TREATMENT

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

ERADICATE BARRETT’S OESOPHAGUS, REDUCE CANCER RISK

Barrett’s oesophagus is the primary risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a form of oesophageal cancer. Developing Barrett’s increases your chances of developing EAC by 50 times.1 Patients with confirmed low-grade dysplasia and other risk factors face a substantial risk of disease progression.2,3

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a proactive treatment for patients diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus who are under surveillance but want to reduce their risk of progression to EAC. Multiple studies demonstrate the effectiveness of RFA in treating Barrett’s oesophagus.4-8 

RADIOFREQUENCY 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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

Follow the instructions specified by your physician or the nursing staff. The following instructions were given to patients in certain clinical trials and are provided here as an example of what you can expect:

  • 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 when to stop taking them before each endoscopy.

DAY OF THE PROCEDURE

Ablation therapy is performed in conjunction with an upper endoscopy. The treatment is performed after the patient is sedated in an outpatient setting and no incisions are involved. While procedure time in clinical studies averaged 30 minutes, the actual time can vary depending on the physician’s experience and the difficulty of the case. You will be monitored after the procedure is complete.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

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. 

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.