Spray cryotherapy for palliation of locally advanced adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus.

152 Background: Up to 60% of patients with esophageal cancer are deemed inoperable at the time of diagnosis due to either advanced stage or significant co-morbidities. Currently, endoscopic palliative measures include stenting and photodynamic therapy. Although spray cryotherapy has been successfully used in ablating Barrett's esophagus, and different grades of dysplasia, there has been only one published case describing complete remission of squamous cell carcinoma following cryoablation. We present the first case of the use of the CryoSpray Ablation System (CSA Medical, Baltimore, MD) for palliative treatment of an esophageal T3 adenocarcinoma in an elderly woman with dysphagia and weight loss. Methods: An upper endoscopy was performed with standard monitored anesthesia. A special dual lumen Cryo decompression tube is introduced over an endoscopically placed savary guidewire in the gastric antrum and connected to suction. This tube is used to decompress the stomach when the liquid nitrogen is sprayed. Cryoablation is performed using the CryoSpray Ablation System that uses liquid nitrogen is delivered via a 7 Fr catheter at low pressures (2-3 PSI) at -196°C.The lesion was treated with four freeze cycles of 10-20 seconds each with 60 second interim thaws. Freezing and thawing techniques were monitored by direct visualization. The procedure is repeated every 4-6 weeks. The patient received a total of 7 treatments over 10 months. Results: The patient did not experience any adverse effects after treatment. After 3 treatments (week 20), complete endoscopic resolution of the lesion was noted, with regression of the Barrett's mucosa and major improvement of her dysphagia. At week 28, a recurrent mass was seen on EGD in the mid-esophagus. This was treated with 3 sessions of spray cryotherapy at 4 week intervals with improvement of dysphagia after each application. 11 months after her initial cryotherapy, the patient opted to have an esophageal stent due to tumor progression. Conclusions: Spray cryotherapy is a safe and effective endoscopic modality for the ablation of Barrett's esophagus and superficial esophageal cancer, it is a promising new modality for the palliation of advanced esophageal cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.