HALO ablation technology achieves complete removal of diseased tissue without causing damage to nearby normal structures. It is a technique used in the specialty of digestive section.
Barrett’s esophagus is a precancerous condition affecting the lining of the esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder in which stomach acid and enzymes cause injury to the lining of the esophagus, resulting in symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation and chest pain. In some patients the normal cells of the esophagus are damaged and over time can result in inflammation and genetic changes that cause the cells to become altered. If a patient has GERD symptoms more than 3 times per week, he/she should consult his/her physician. It is estimated that 13% of patients with GERD also have Barrett’s esophagus.
The diagnosis is established after performing a gastroscopy where biopsies are taken from the area of esophageal inflammation. The finding of intestinal cells in the esophagus confirms the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus. There are different grades of Barrett’s: intestinal metaplasia, low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
The joint recommendations of the medical societies indicate performing upper endoscopies with biopsy in patients with Barrett’s esophagus, regularly and for life. The frequency will be much higher in patients with dysplasia, due to the increased risk of developing cancer.
In addition to endoscopic observation approaches for Barrett’s esophagus, there are treatment options. Among the endoscopic treatment options is radiofrequency ablation or HALO. This is a technique in which tissue is heated until it is no longer viable or alive, using heat energy that is applied in a precise and controlled manner. HALO ablation technology is able to achieve complete removal of diseased tissue without causing damage to nearby normal structures.
The treatment is performed in conjunction with upper endoscopy without the need for hospitalization or incisions, with several sessions being necessary to remove Barrett’s tissue. It represents a great advance in the treatment of the disease, since until now we had to wait for esophageal cancer to appear and then proceed to surgery, with greater risk and subsequent problems.