News

Contact: Jamie Leszczynski

The Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases of Oswego Health Medical Practice is now offering access to an innovative laboratory test — TissueCypher — that can help predict the risk of developing esophageal cancer in patients diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Offering this AI-driven precision medicine test is a major step forward in the Center’s commitment to bringing the latest, evidence-based diagnostic tools to the community.

BE is the only known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), one of the fastest-growing cancers in the U.S. Fortunately, BE can be effectively treated to prevent progression to EAC if the patient is identified as having elevated risk. That is where TissueCypher comes in: the test evaluates a patient’s tissue biopsy at the cellular and molecular level to provide a personalized five-year probability of progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or esophageal cancer. No new procedures are needed to run the test — biopsies just need to be sent to Castle Biosciences, the company that developed the TissueCypher test.

“Early intervention can be lifesaving, and TissueCypher helps us provide a more accurate picture of an individual’s cancer risk,” said Mohammad Fahad Ali, MD, FACG, FASGE, DABOM, Chief of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Director of Endoscopy & the Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases, who spearheaded the initiative to make this test available to the community. “Offering this advanced test is another example of how Oswego Health is raising the standard of care in our region. It empowers both patients and providers to make more informed decisions and opens the door to earlier, more effective treatment.”

TissueCypher represents a significant improvement over traditional risk assessment methods, which often misclassify patients. The test provides:

• A risk classification: low, intermediate, or high
• A risk score on a scale of 0–10
• A 5-year individualized risk of progression to HGD or EAC

Those experiencing chronic acid reflux or who have a family history of BE or esophageal cancer are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about screening. If you’ve already been diagnosed with BE, you may be a candidate for the TissueCypher test. Talk to your provider about a referral to one of our specialists.

“At the Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases, WE CARE about finding answers,” added Dr. Ali. “We are dedicated to providing our patients with the most advanced tools available to prevent, detect, and treat gastrointestinal diseases—right here in CNY.”

This offering underscores Oswego Health’s ongoing investment in state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and its mission to improve the health and well-being of the community through accessible, high-quality care.

For more information on the Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases program or to schedule a consultation, please visit www.oswegohealth.org or call 315-312-0089.