Barrett’s Oesophagus surveillance
Adult

Endoscopy

Useful Management Information

Australian clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Barrett's oesophagus and early oesophageal adenocarcinoma (2015) recommended screening endoscopy schedules.

  • No dysplasia on endoscopic assessment and Seattle protocol biopsy
    • Short (< 3 cm) segment – repeat endoscopy in 3–5 years
  • Long (≥ 3 cm) segment – repeat endoscopy in 2–3 years

If there has been previous low-grade dysplasia, see low-grade dysplasia protocol.

Seattle protocol—biopsy of any mucosal irregularity and quadrantic biopsies every 2 cm unless known or suspected dysplasia then quadrantic biopsies every 1 cm.

Indefinite for dysplasia on biopsy

The changes of indefinite for dysplasia on biopsy should be confirmed by a second pathologist, ideally an expert gastrointestinal pathologist. If indefinite for dysplasia is confirmed, then the following endoscopic surveillance is recommended:

  • Repeat endoscopy in 6 months with Seattle protocol biopsies for suspected dysplasia (biopsy of any mucosal irregularity and quadrantic biopsies every 1 cm) on maximal acid suppression
  • If repeat shows no dysplasia, then follow as per non-dysplastic protocol
  • If repeat shows low-grade or high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma, then follow protocols for these respective conditions
  • If repeat again shows confirmed indefinite for dysplasia, then repeat endoscopy in 6 months with Seattle protocol biopsies for suspected dysplasia.

Low-grade dysplasia on biopsy
The changes of low-grade dysplasia on biopsy should be confirmed by a second pathologist, ideally an expert gastrointestinal pathologist. If low-grade dysplasia is confirmed, then the following endoscopic surveillance is recommended (or refer to an expert centre for assessment):

  • Repeat endoscopy every 6 months with Seattle protocol biopsies for dysplasia (biopsy of any mucosal irregularity and quadrantic biopsies every 1 cm).
  • If 2 consecutive 6-monthly endoscopies with Seattle dysplasia biopsy protocol show no dysplasia, then consider reverting to a less frequent follow up schedule.

High-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma on biopsy
Referral to a centre that has integrated expertise in endoscopy, imaging, surgery and histopathology

NB: If a patient has been fully investigated 2 years prior to referral, then the referrer and the receiving clinician will need to exercise clinical decision making in triaging and/or value in repeat endoscopy/colonoscopy procedures

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • See Useful Management Information section for guideline information
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • See Useful Management Information section for guideline information
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • See Useful Management Information section for guideline information
  • Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis
  • If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested:
    • Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
  • Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service.

Essential Referral Information

  • Previous endoscopic procedures (date, report and histology)

If a specific test result is unable to be obtained due to access, financial, religious, cultural or consent reasons a Clinical Override may be requested. This reason must be clearly articulated in the body of the referral.

Additional Referral Information

  • No additional referral information
Last updated 5 August 2021

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

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Send to: Gold Coast Health Service District

Internal Referrals

Not available

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Booking and Referral Centre
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

Service Availability

Dr Sneha John
Medical Director Endoscopy

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

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