Medical professional liability claims related to esophageal cancer screening.

Medical Professional Liability Claims Related to Esophageal Cancer Screening Endoscopic screening for esophageal adenocarcinoma has been recommended for patients with chronic symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, but only if they have additional risk factors.1-3 Surveys of gastroenterologists indicate that concern about litigation for missing a cancer may drive endoscopy use in patients at low risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma.4 However, the perception of medical professional liability may not accurately reflect the true incidence of liability claims. Although the rate of serious adverse events arising from esophagogastroduodenoscopies is small,5 6.9million esophagogastroduodenoscopieswereperformed in theUnitedStates in 2009.6Wehypothesized that the incidence ofmedical professional liability claims alleging failure to screen for esophageal cancer is less than the incidence of claims alleging complications fromesophagogastroduodenoscopyperformedwith inadequate indication.