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From NorwalkPlus.com Health Only Hospital in Connecticut Participating in National Study for this Treatment
In addition, Norwalk Hospital has been the only hospital in Connecticut to be selected to participate in a national multi-center study because of Dr. Gross' expertise in cryotherapy. Norwalk Hospital joins the Cleveland Clinic and several other major medical centers in this clinical trial in which Dr. Gross is using cryotherapy to eradicate pre-malignant Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the esophagus, which carries food and saliva from the mouth to the stomach, is changed by the stomach acid (often caused by gastoesophageal reflux disease or GERD) replacing the lining of the esophagus with a type of tissue similar to that normally found in the intestine. While Barrett's esophagus may not cause symptoms, a small percentage of people with this condition may develop a relatively rare but potentially fatal type of cancer of the esophagus called esophageal adenocarcinoma. Cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen in medical treatments, has been used effectively since the 1950's to treat certain types of cancers and precancerous conditions. Cryotherapy is a recent breakthrough in the field of gastroenterology to treat conditions of the esophagus, such as Barrett's esophagus, high and low grade dysplasia and esophageal cancer. "It has been shown in clinical research that by using liquid nitrogen, cryotherapy freezes diseased tissue in the esophagus destroying the cells, which are replaced with healthy cells," Dr. Gross explained. In addition to having comprehensive training, experience and expertise in treating Barrett's esophagus with cryotherapy, Dr. Gross is experienced in using radiofrequency ablation (Barrx). This is a similar technique which uses radiofrequency ablation allowing for a targeted superficial burn to destroy these cells resulting in regrowth of a healthy lining in the esophagus. Dr. Gross is also proficient in balloon assisted enteroscopy, which allows for complete evaluation of the small intestine. Balloon enteroscopy allows for both diagnostic and therapeutic intervention and can spare patients the need for surgery. The most common indication for the procedure is for unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding. Dr. Gross, who specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, also has advanced training in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), which combines endoscopy with ultrasound to obtain images of the digestive tract and surrounding tissues and organs. EUS is useful in the staging of cancers of the esophagus, rectum, stomach, lung and pancreas as well as detecting bile duct stones. It is also utilized for evaluating chronic pancreatitis, cysts of the pancreas, incontinence and "submucosal" tumors, which are lesions within the intestinal wall. Prior to his fellowship training, Dr. Gross completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at North Shore University Hospital, New York University School of Medicine. He also served as a hospitalist at North Shore University Hospital- NYU. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his accomplishments in the field of gastroenterology. He holds memberships in the American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Gastroenterology Association. He has authored numerous articles published in prestigious medical journals and completed a book chapter, Photodynamic Therapy in the Esophagus for "Advances in Photodynamic Therapy: Basic, Translational and Clinical." © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. |
