The National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) approves the use of Radio Frequency Ablation for Treatment of Barrett’s Oesophagus
Interventional Procedures (IPAC) Guidelines from NICE in the UK include Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for eradication of high grade dysplasia in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus.
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – June 1, 2010 – BÂRRX Medical Inc. announced today that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK has published new interventional procedures guidance approving the use radiofrequency ablation for the eradication of dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus.
NICE has said that for Barrett’s oesophagus with high-grade dysplasia;There is evidence to say that this procedure is safe and works in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus with high-grade dysplasia provided their progress is checked in the long term. This procedure can be offered routinely as a treatment option for these patients provided that doctors are sure that:
• the patient understands what is involved and agrees to the treatment, and
• the results of the procedure are monitored.
This is a major step forward for patients being able to access treatment within the NHS and ask for a referral to a treating hospital.To date there have been over 50,000 procedures of radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s eradication performed around the world more than 200 of those within the UK.
Barrett’s oesophagus is a condition characterized by abnormal epithelium. In some patients, Barrett’s oesophagus may progress, through metaplasia and dysplasia to oesophageal adencarcinoma, cancer.
“The UK has one of the highest concentrations of Barrett’s oesophagus in the world. Until now, oesophagectomy has been the standard of care”, noted Dr. Laurence Lovat, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Gastroenterologist at the University College Medical School, London. The first to use RFA in the UK, Dr. Lovat added, “We think radiofrequency ablation will play an important role in the endoscopic management of our patients”.
Dr Paul Salmon, Trustee and former Chair of the Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign, says, “Barrett’s represents one of the fastest growing and most deadly forms of cancer in the UK and is set to treble in the next decade. We are pleased to see NICE has identified radiofrequency ablation as an important tool in the fight.”
More info here: www.synmed.co.uk/products_HALO_radio_frequency_ablation.htm
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