Curative endoscopic resection of early esophageal adenocarcinomas (Barrett's cancer).

Background In view of the increasing incidence of adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus and the mortality and high morbidity rates associated with surgical therapy for this condition, safe and effective but less invasive methods of treatment are needed. Objective To evaluate efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection in these patients. Design Single-center prospective study. Setting Teaching hospital, conducted between October 1996 and September 2003. Patients A total of 100 consecutive patients (mean age, 62.1 ± 10.9 years; range, 31–86 years) with low-risk adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (macroscopic types I, IIa, IIb, and IIc; lesion diameter up to 20 mm; mucosal lesion without invasion…