Dr. Lisa Mathew interviews Dr. Caitlin Houghton, a foregut surgeon at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center. Dr. Houghton specializes in the management of GERD and Barrett’s Esophagus, focusing on identifying patients at highest risk for esophageal cancer and using advanced endoscopic techniques to personalize care.

GERD Awareness Week coincides with the start of the holiday season, a time when patients often notice their reflux symptoms worsening. Dr. Houghton discusses emerging trends in GERD and Barrett’s Esophagus that private practice gastroenterologists should be tracking. She also shares insights from cases like her uncle Pat, who developed long-segment Barrett’s with minimal reflux symptoms, and offers guidance on how clinicians can better counsel patients who may be asymptomatic but still at risk.

Join Dr. Mathew and Dr. Houghton as they explore practical approaches to risk stratification, indications for upper endoscopy, and how to weigh treatment options for patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC

Mixed and mastered by Hayden Margolis

Gastro Broadcast, Episode 85, presented by TissueCypher from Castle Biosciences