Scientists from the University of Southampton being part of a larger international effort, have recently trialed a new technique which would allow oesophageal cancer to be diagnosed sooner for those who are likely to develop it.
A condition known as Barrett's oesophagus (or complications with 'heartburn') is a problem where people have frequent acid reflux. This is where stomach acid enters the oesophageal tube via the cardiac sphincter when lumen is not closed sufficiently. This condition if serious can ultimately be the cause of subsequent oesophageal cancer.
The main discovery was the identification of two genes that can mutate which could lead onto oesophageal cancer.
However to identify these genes in the first place, DNA inevitably needed to be sequenced. Scientists used modern techniques to sequence the DNA of patients with Barrett's oesophagus and of those with oesophagul cancer. The findings were published in the journal Nature Genetics. This way of identification is coupled with a relatively new method of obtaining the mutated cells from the oesophageal lining. A "sponge-on-a-string" test is used to obtain the cell samples says Rebecca Fitzgerald, professor at the University of Cambridge (MRC Cancer Unit).
A non-invasive technique such as this is a major advantage in my view. It could mean a lower probability of the potential subsequent complications of surgery for example. I am sure for many patients, a non-invasive technique is very desirable.
Oesophageal cancer is one of the hardest cancers to diagnose early and has a low survival rate according to the American Cancer Society. If this technique is widely successful then this will ultimately lead to treatment being available to those who are enduring the early stages of this cancer.
I encourage further reading on the article which can be found here. (Credit to Catharine Paddock PhD for original article)
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