Cytosponge, a “sponge on a string”, used to identify a precursor to oesophageal cancer found to reduce NHS wait times for endoscopy.
The NHS trial of the use of Cytosponge found that 8 out of 10 people accessed using the method do not need to join the endoscopy waiting list.
Oesophageal cancer is the 14th most common cancer and about 9,300 people are diagnosed a year in the UK. Cancer Research UK (CRUK) report 8,000 people die from the disease each year.
Barrett’s oesophagus is a condition in which there is metaplasia (cell changes) of the mucosa of the distal oesophagus. It is associated with an increased risk of oesophageal cancer. The presence of Barrett’s oesophagus is usually identified by endoscopy and confirmed by assessment of biopsies.
The Cytosponge test is a small pill with a thread attached that is swallowed by the patient and expands into a small sponge in the stomach. When retrieved, cells collected by the Cytosponge are analysed to check for the presence of Barrett’s oesophagus. The test can pick up abnormal cells and potential early-stage cancers.
NHS England’s evaluation of the 8,500 patients involved in the trial found that 78% did not have Barrett’s oesophagus and could be managed by their GP in the future, rather than undergoing endoscopy.
22% of patients tested were found to need an endoscopy due to being at higher risk of the condition. As a result, prioritising access for higher risk suspected cancer patients.
NHS England has been undertaking the Cytosponge test in hospitals across England since 2021.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS England’s Chief Executive, said: “Thousands of people have now benefited from this incredibly efficient test on the NHS. While the sponge on a string is small in size, it can make a big difference for patients”.
Dr Lyndsy Ambler, CRUK Senior Strategic Evidence Manager, said: “The capsule sponge test has become one of the most exciting early detection tools to emerge in recent years”
“This evaluation adds to the evidence showing that it is helping the NHS to free up endoscopy capacity and could lead to improvements in reducing late diagnosis of oesophageal cancer”.
