Research

Overview

• IBD

• Liver

• Oesophageal

The clinical research program in oesophageal diseases is focused firstly on diagnostics, aiming to improve the utility of the diagnostic methodology used to assess oesophageal structure and motor function (e.g. endoscopy, barium swallow, manometry, and ambulatory reflux monitoring).
Secondly, our research aims to improve therapeutic options for patients with oesophageal diseases including oesophageal motility disorders (e.g. achalasia), eosinophilic oesophagitis, oesophageal strictures, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and oesophageal dysfunction related to systemic disease (e.g. end-stage lung disease/ lung transplantation, and systemic sclerosis). 

Selected publications

• High risk Pancreas Cancer Screening in high risk individuals

Drs Alina Stoita and David Williams commenced the national pancreatic cancer screening program in high risk individuals at St Vincent's Hospital in 2010. Since then the program has expanded to Queensland (Royal Brisbane Hospital), Victoria (Epworth Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Austin Hospital) and Western Australia (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital).  The screening protocols are in accordance with the International Cancer of the Pancreas Consortium recommendations.  People are considered at higher risk of pancreatic due to family history (>2 close family members with pancreatic cancer) or having a known gene mutation (eg. BRAC2/PALB2/Lynch syndrome) in addition to a family history of pancreatic cancer or by having certain clinical disorders (eg, Peutz- Jeghers Syndrome or Hereditary Pancreatitis). The program involves genetic counselling +/- testing if appropriate, blood tests, endoscopic ultrasound and MRI.

For more information on the program, please contact the NSW coordinator t.dwarte@garvan.org.au

https://www.pancreaticcancer.net.au/research-familial/screening-trial/