BACKGROUND Cancer of the oesophagus has so far eluded every attempt at pharmacological treatment. The recent advent of somatic gene therapy offers a new therapeutic approach to malignant tumours. AIM To investigate whether and how gene transfer into the oesophagus can be achieved. METHODS A LacZ reporter gene was used as marker and transferred into the oesophagus of rats using cationic lipo...

There is no satisfactory biomarker yet available for predicting the likelihood of premalignant changes or carcinoma developing in Barrett's or columnar lined oesophagus. In this study we have evaluated the proliferation of squamous epithelium, columnar epithelium from columnar lined oesophagus and gastric columnar epithelium from 23 Barrett's patients using positive immunoreactivity with the mo...

The precise mechanisms whereby gastro-oesophageal reflux disease causes reflux oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus are not clear, even though these diseases have been known to be linked for many years. Recent studies indicate a role for the reflux-induced inflammatory response of oesophageal squamous epithelial cells and the immune cells in the pathogenesis of reflux oesophagitis. Although re...

Introduction. Sharp, retained foreign bodies in the oesophagus are associated with severe complications. Developmentally delayed patients are especially subject to foreign objects. We describe a 37-year-old, developmentally delayed male with a mincer blade obstructing the oesophagus. Six months prior to surgical intervention, the patient was hospitalized in a condition of sepsis and pneumonia w...

Dysphagia is considered a warning symptom that requires exclusion of significant pathology such as oesophageal cancer, especially in elderly patients. Benign neoplasms of the oesophagus are rare. We report the case of a 69-year-old lady who presented with a five years history of infrequent intermittent dysphagia that had rapidly progressed over one month. This was associated with globus sensati...

BACKGROUND Intestinal metaplastic mucosa in Barrett's oesophagus can be replaced by squamous epithelium after mucosal thermal ablation associated with acid suppression therapy. AIMS To assess whether restoration of squamous epithelium can be obtained after ablation of Barrett's oesophagus using argon plasma coagulation (APC) associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. METHODS Thirt...