Balloon Cryotherapy vs. Radiofrequency Ablation Pain Study

Geisinger Health

Status: Completed

Conditions: Barrett Esophagus

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT03387982

2017-0363

Details and patient eligibility

About

Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the normal lining of the lower esophagus is replaced with cells that predispose an individual to development of esophageal cancer. Treatment of Barrett's esophagus reduces the risk of progression to cancer. Treatment is provided endoscopically, via a variety of approved techniques including endoscopic mucosal resection, argon plasma coagulation, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), spray cryotherapy ablation and balloon cryotherapy ablation. A common side effect of ablation treatment is pain, thus making pain an important factor when discussing treatment options. It is speculated that balloon cryotherapy causes less pain than RFA but no head-to-head comparison trials exist to date. This multi-center, prospective cohort study aims to compare pre- and post-procedural pain for balloon cryotherapy versus RFA. Providing both patients and clinicians with data from a well-designed prospective study may help guide future physician/patient treatment discussions.

Enrollment: 95 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients with dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (LGD and HGD) naïve to ablation therapy presenting for ablation
2. Age ≥ 18
3. Ability to sign informed consent

Exclusion criteria

1. Prior ablation treatment for Barrett's esophagus
2. Pregnancy

Trial design

95 participants in 2 patient groups

Balloon Cryotherapy Treatment Group

Description:

Subjects will undergo endoscopic balloon cryotherapy for dysplastic Barrett's Esophagus as per standard of care. The treatment type (balloon cryotherapy vs RFA) is determined by the endoscopy physician at the time of the procedure and is based on several clinical factors including co-existing medical conditions, the anatomy of the esophagus, and the length and amount of tissue affected with Barrett's.

RFA Treatment Group

Description:

Subjects will undergo radio frequency ablation treatment for dysplastic Barrett's Esophagus as per standard of care. The treatment type (balloon cryotherapy vs RFA) is determined by the endoscopy physician at the time of the procedure and is based on several clinical factors including co-existing medical conditions, the anatomy of the esophagus, and the length and amount of tissue affected with Barrett's.