Screening for Barrett Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Approaches and Outcomes

Barrett esophagus (BE) is the only known histological precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The incidence of EAC has risen significantly over the past 4 decades in the United States and other Western countries, and the prognosis of EAC remains poor, with over half of individuals diagnosed at a late stage. Despite this, fewer than 1 in 5 eligible individuals undergo endoscopic screening for BE. Current screening practices rely on upper endoscopy, limiting widespread adoption and missing a significant portion of at-risk individuals. Recent technological advancements in minimally invasive screening modalities have the potential to expand screening efforts, improve detection rates, and reduce healthcare resource utilization. This review discusses the conceptual underpinnings and hurdles to successful screening for EAC and BE, evaluates newer technologies for screening, including nonendoscopic cell collection devices, blood-based biomarkers, transnasal endoscopy, and exhaled volatile organic compounds, and examines emerging methods for enhancing detection of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia, including artificial intelligence and wide area transepithelial sampling. The value of screening in light of a recent randomized trial of surveillance from the United Kingdom, as well as a landmark study on nonendoscopic risk stratification for dysplasia in BE, are considered. While direct evidence linking screening to reduced EAC mortality is lacking, trials highlight promising outcomes in early detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions. Future directions, challenges, and recommendations for optimizing BE screening are discussed.