©The Author(s) 2018. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2018; 24(43): 4862-4869
Published online Nov 21, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i43.4862
Published online Nov 21, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i43.4862
Cryotherapy in the management of premalignant and malignant conditions of the esophagus
Pooja Lal, Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
Prashanthi N Thota, Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed to the conception and design, acquisition of data and drafting of manuscript; all authors approved the final version of the article, including the authorship list.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Authors deny any conflict-of-interest.
Correspondence to: Prashanthi N Thota, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States. thotap@ccf.org
Telephone: +1-216-4440780 Fax: +1-216-4454222
Received: August 6, 2018
Peer-review started: August 6, 2018
First decision: October 11, 2018
Revised: October 13, 2018
Accepted: October 21, 2018
Article in press: October 21, 2018
Published online: November 21, 2018
Processing time: 107 Days and 13.9 Hours
Peer-review started: August 6, 2018
First decision: October 11, 2018
Revised: October 13, 2018
Accepted: October 21, 2018
Article in press: October 21, 2018
Published online: November 21, 2018
Processing time: 107 Days and 13.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Cryotherapy is freezing of tissue to destroy abnormal lesions and has evolving role in mangement of premalignant and malignant conditions of the esophagus. The currently available cryoablation systems in esophagus are cryospray using liquid nitrogen and cryoballoon focal ablation system using liquid nitrous oxide. The eradication rates of metaplasia and dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) with cryotherapy are comparable to those with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In addition, cryotherapy can be used when RFA is ineffective or not possible in patients with BE and for palliative purposes in advanced esophageal cancer.