An innovative new program dedicated to treatment and prevention of esophageal diseases is allowing clinicians and researchers to collaborate directly on patient care.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health and Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Center for Esophageal Research and its associated Center for Esophageal Diseases at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas offer a unique program that investigates the full spectrum of research on conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus.
"What's most exciting about the centers is the collaboration between a productive lab and a patient-oriented clinical care team to really explore how we can better the lives of patients living with esophageal diseases," said Vani Konda, MD, director of clinical operations for the Center for Esophageal Diseases.
With both bench and bedside components, physicians are provided more opportunities for translational research—work that is done partly in the lab and partly in the clinical setting—and will allow researchers to gain a better understanding of disease states over time. Equipped with advanced clinical and laboratory equipment and a patient-oriented care team, the centers have the necessary resources to conduct comprehensive research designed to uncover early detection and prevention methods—a critical step in reducing the rising incidence of esophageal cancer.
"Baylor Scott & White Health offered an opportunity to really develop these clinical and research centers that go hand in hand. That's what's unique about this—the ability to really make inroads into these diseases," said Stuart Spechler, MD, chief of gastroenterology at Baylor University Medical Center. While esophagus problems are common, not many programs offer specialized training in this area, so it provides an educational opportunity for future gastroenterologists.
"The Center for Esophageal Diseases and Center for Esophageal Research provide a mixture of education, research and patient care, and we're interested in establishing all of those things for the community," said Rhonda Souza, MD, medical director of the Center for Esophageal Diseases.
Many people recognize acid reflux from the occasional heartburn it causes—the burning sensation in the chest often associated with overeating or eating specific foods. While occasional heartburn is not necessarily health-threatening, people with GERD—the frequent occurrence of acid reflux—may be at risk for greater health complications. Without proper treatment, GERD can lead to more serious medical problems, such as the precancerous condition known as Barret's esophagus, and may increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
About 6 percent of U.S. adults have Barrett's esophagus, which affects the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Each year, roughly 10,000 people are diagnosed with esophageal cancer related to this disease, and it's among the fastest rising cancers in the U.S.
For more information on the treatment of esophageal diseases at Baylor Scott & White Health, visit bswhealth.com.
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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com