Dysplasia
Sutter Davis Hospital Gastroenterology

Definition
Dysplasia is a precancerous condition in which cells which are very similar to cancer cells grow in an organ but have not yet acquired the ability to invade into tissue or metastasize (spread to areas distant from where they started). This is a stage which can be cured.

Treatment for Varying Degrees of Dysplasia

• Atypia indefinite for dysplasia - Patients will need to undergo a repeat endoscopic examination after an 8- to 12-week course of intensive acid suppression.
• Low-grade dysplasia (pre-cancerous change) - Antireflux therapy (either medical or surgical) is recommended, followed by endoscopic surveillance every 1-3 years.
• High-grade dysplasia (severe precancerous change) - Antireflux therapy plus additional therapy prescribed individually on the basis of histologic findings, coexistent disease, and the operative risks (see below). Additional therapy may include surveillance endoscopy every 3-6 months, photodynamic therapy, endoscopic mucosal resection, or surgery.