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Is Regular Endoscopy Needed for People With Barrett’s Esophagus?

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Barrett's Oesophagus Surveillance Versus Endoscopy at Need Study (BOSS) A Randomized Controlled Trial DOI- 10.1053j.gastro.2025.03.021

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the lining of the esophagus changes. It can sometimes lead to cancer, which is why many people with Barrett’s are advised to have regular endoscopies to check for early signs of cancer.

This large study from the UK followed over 3,400 people with Barrett’s esophagus for nearly 13 years. Half of the patients had an endoscopy every two years. The other half only had an endoscopy if they developed symptoms, like trouble swallowing or new pain.

Surprisingly, the results showed no difference in how long people lived between the two groups. The number of people who died from cancer, or from any cause, was about the same. Serious problems from the procedures were also rare in both groups.

This suggests that for many people with low-risk Barrett’s esophagus, regular surveillance might not be necessary. Instead, watching for symptoms and getting checked when needed could be just as safe—and easier on patients.

Always talk with your doctor before making changes to your care plan. But this study shows that not everyone with Barrett’s needs routine endoscopy every two years.

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Dr. Harsh J Shah

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Dr Harsh Shah - GI & HPB Oncosurgeon in India
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