Charles J. Lightdale, MD

I am a trained gastroenterologist with clinical expertise in the areas of pancreatic cancer, Barrett’s esophagus, and other related diseases. My specialties include digestive and liver disorders, gastroenterology, and cancer. I have authored over 130 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, 290 reviews, editorials, and book chapters. I have served on two consecutive 4-year terms as Editorin-Chief of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the official journal of the ASGE. Identifying ways to prevent upper-GI cancers is the main goal of my research. My research areas include studying Barrett's esophagus; targeted biopsies using confocal endomicroscopy for more accurate diagnosis; radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus; endoscopic mucosal resection of pre-cancerous lesions and early cancer. I have also worked extensively on developing blood and biopsy tests for early detection and prevention of esophageal cancers; and the use of endoscopic ultrasound for diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal cancers.