Successful Treatment of an Early Barrett's Adenocarcinoma in a High-Risk Patient with Portal Hypertension: The “Band and Leave” Strategy

Abstract

“Band and leave” strategy has been described for the resection of submucosal tumors of the digestive tract to reduce the complications related to deep submucosal resection such as bleeding and perforation. We present the case of a patient with multiple comorbidities, chronic liver disease, and portal hypertension diagnosed to have T1 adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus overlying a column of varix. This was successfully treated by band ligation and allowing the neoplastic mucosa to slough. We propose this technique as an alternative therapeutic option for the management of early Barrett's neoplasia in such high-risk patients with portal hypertension.

Keywords

• barrett's esophagus
• adenocarcinoma
• esophageal varices
• endoscopic procedures