**EMBARGOED All research presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting is strictly embargoed until Monday, October 19, 2015 at 8 AM (EDT).
Poster 1675 Agent Orange Exposure Is Associated With Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in Vietnam Veterans
Author Insight from Yousef Usta, MD, Phoenix VA Health Care System/ Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.
What’s new here and important for clinicians?
Patients in the Veteran’s Affairs Agent Orange Registry who were assumed to have significant Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War were 2.49 times as likely to develop esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) than controls with nondysplastic Barrett’s esophagus (NBE) who were not in the Registry. On simple logistic regression, p<0.0001. When adjusted for propensity score (based on age and BMI), the odds ratio for developing EAC was found to be 2.02 (p=0.003). If this association can be confirmed upon further study, this exposed population may exhibit a more rapid progression of dysplasia from NBE to EAC. If an association can be identified, increased screening in these individuals might be indicated.
What do patients need to know?
Our research is still too preliminary for patients to worry about. We will need much more research, and a different type of research (prospective patient study or invivo animal studies) before proving there is a direct cause and affect association between Agent Orange and increased esophageal adenocarcinoma in people with Barrett’s esophagus.
Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Table
Author Contact
Yousef Usta, MD, Phoenix VA Health Care System/ Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.
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