Reactions 454 - 5 Jun 1993

Antineoplastics

Lack of association with Barrett’s oesophagus:incidence study

Antineoplastic therapy is not linked with the development ofBarrett’s oesophagus, according to a study of 38 patients withcancer. Barrett’s oesophagus is a rare, premalignant change inthe oesophageal epithelium that usually results fromgastroesphageal reflux. Some authors have suggested thecondition can be caused by intensive antineoplastic therapy.The study involved 20 men (23-56 years) receiving cisplatin-based antineoplastic therapy for testicular cancer, and 18women (33-50 years) receiving methotrexate and fluorouracilfor breast cancer. Other antineoplastics included vinblastine,bleomycin, ifosfamide and etoposide in the men, andleucovorin, prednisone, doxorubicin and vincristine in thewomen. Barrett’s oesophagus was observed in only 1 patientin the study. However, oesophagitis was present in 5 of thewomen and 3 of the men, suggesting that clinicians shouldexpect an increased incidence of oesophagitis duringantineoplastic therapyPeters FTM, et al. Is chemotherapy associated with development of Barrett’sesophagus? Digestive Diseases and Sciences 38: 923-926, May 1993 -Netherlands 800201034

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Reactions 5 Jun 1993 No. 4540114-9954/10/0454-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved