Scientists at ORNL employ digital esophagus to battle Barrett’s
If you are one of the more than 3 million people in the U.S. diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus, you’ll be pleased to know that a team including researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a digital tool to better monitor your condition.
Barrett’s occurs when the mucosal lining of the lower esophagus deteriorates, altering its cellular structure, and is most common in those with chronic acid reflux. Barrett’s is also considered a premalignant condition because it’s a common precursor to esophageal cancer, so monitoring patients is critical. However, the current paradigm for tracking the progress of the disease, known as the Seattle protocol, is invasive, expensive and potentially ineffective.
The team also included researchers from Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Institute for Technology Assessment.
Click here to learn more about the approach.
