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Barrett's oesophagus surveillance

Emergency referrals

All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Gastroenterology Registrar to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment. Contact through

  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111
  • The Prince Charles Hospital (07) 3139 4000
  • Redcliffe Hospital (07) 3883 7777
  • Caboolture Hospital (07) 5433 8888

Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.

Does your patient wish to be referred?

Minimum referral criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days is desirable

  • No category 1 criteria (see other useful information for referring practitioners)

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days is desirable

  • No category 2 criteria (see other useful information for referring practitioners

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days is desirable

  • No category 3 criteria (see other useful information for referring practitioners)

If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria

Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.

If you still need to refer your patient:

  • 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

Other important information for referring practitioners

Not an exhaustive list

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.

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Essential referral information

  • Previous endoscopic procedures (date, report and histology)

Out of catchment

Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

  • Impact on employment
  • Impact on education
  • Impact on home
  • Impact on activities of daily living
  • Impact on ability to care for others
  • Impact on personal frailty or safety
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • To establish a diagnosis
  • For treatment or intervention
  • For advice and management
  • For specialist to take over management
  • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
  • For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
  • Reassurance for the patient/family
  • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
  • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

  • Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
  • Physical findings
  • Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
  • Current medications and dosages
  • Drug allergies
  • Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

  • Full name (including aliases)
  • Date of birth
  • Residential and postal address
  • Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
  • Medicare number (where eligible)
  • Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
  • Preferred language and interpreter requirements
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • Full name
  • Full address
  • Contact details – telephone, fax, email
  • Provider number
  • Date of referral
  • Signature

  • Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
  • Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
  • Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)
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