Barrett's Esophagus after Bimodality Therapy in Patients with Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Barrett's esophagus (BE) may be present in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) after bimodality therapy (BMT). There is no specific guidance for follow-up of these patients with regard to the presence of BE or dysplasia. In this study, we assessed the outcomes of patients who, after BMT, had BE and those who did not.

METHOD: Patients with EAC who had BMT were identified and analyzed retrospectively in two groups, with and without BE. We compared patient characteristics and outcome variables (local, distant, and no recurrence).

RESULTS: Of 228 patients with EAC, 68 (29.8%) had BE before BMT. Ninety-eight (42.9%) had BE after BMT, and endoscopic intervention was done in 11 (11.2%). With a median follow-up of 37 months, the presence of post-BMT BE was not significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS). Similarly, endoscopic intervention was not significantly associated with OS and LRFS. Fifty (73.5%) patients with BE before BMT had BE after BMT (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: The presence of BE after BMT was not associated with increased risk of local recurrence. The local recurrence rate was not influenced by endoscopic intervention. Prospective studies are warranted to generate guidance for intervention, if necessary, for this group of EAC patients.