Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Sponge on a String Detects Precursor to Esophageal Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 28 Feb 2024

Esophageal cancer, which affects the food pipe, is a major cause of cancer deaths, ranking as the fourth highest in men and seventh in women. More...

Its incidence is increasing, linked to risk factors like poor diet, smoking, alcohol use, and having a hiatus hernia. People with Barrett's esophagus are at a heightened risk for developing esophageal cancer. Endoscopy, a procedure involving a tiny camera inserted into the body, is used to diagnose various cancers, including those of the colon and stomach. Now, an innovative "sponge on a string" device coupled with a laboratory test can detect Barrett's esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer, offering a way to reduce the long waiting times for essential diagnostic tests.

The National Health Service (NHS, London, UK) conducted a trial of the "cytosponge," demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing the need for endoscopy. The cytosponge, a capsule about the size of a standard tablet, expands in the stomach once swallowed with water. It is then retrieved by pulling the attached string, and collecting cells for analysis to determine the presence of Barrett's esophagus. A simple antibody test then allows pathologists to easily spot signs of the precancerous condition. In a study involving 2,550 out of 8,500 patients tested with the cytosponge, it was found that 78% did not have Barrett's esophagus, allowing them to be monitored by their general practitioner instead of undergoing an endoscopy.

The trial also found that only 22% of those tested, who were at higher risk, required an endoscopic examination. This can not only speed up access to endoscopy for patients suspected of having higher-risk conditions but also significantly advance early cancer detection. The cytosponge is particularly appealing as it is quicker, less invasive, and more cost effective than traditional endoscopy. Experts believe this method could lead to earlier diagnosis of esophageal cancer, potentially reducing the need for late-stage treatments like chemotherapy and surgical removal of the esophagus.

Related Links:
NHS


New
Gold Member
Cardiovascular Risk Test
Metabolic Syndrome Array I & II
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Pipette
Accumax Smart Series
New
ESR Analyzer
TEST1 2.0
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The study highlights the potential of cCAFs as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis (H J Woo et al., Analytical Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c02154)

Simultaneous Cell Isolation Technology Improves Cancer Diagnostic Accuracy

Accurate cancer diagnosis remains a challenge, as liquid biopsy techniques often fail to capture the complexity of tumor biology. Traditional systems for isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) vary in... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is now CE-IVDR approved (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Companion Diagnostic Test Identifies HER2-Ultralow Breast Cancer and Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Europe, with more than 564,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths annually. Metastatic breast cancer is rising in younger populations and remains the leading cause... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.