The research of Michael B. Wallace, M.D., focuses on advanced imaging systems for the detection and treatment of early cancers and pre-cancerous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

These include methods to detect early cancer in Barrett's esophagus and subsequent imaging-guided endoscopic removal of the lesions. Similarly, his team has used advanced imaging systems to detect, characterize and remove advanced pre-cancerous lesions and early cancers from the colon through endoscopic resection.

Together with basic optical physics researchers, Dr. Wallace is exploring methods to detect large field effects in the vicinity of pre-cancerous growths, which will improve screening and localization methods, such as for colonoscopy and pancreatic cancer detection.

Focus areas

• Barrett's esophagus. Dr. Wallace uses narrow band imaging, confocal endomicroscopy and optical frequency domain imaging to locate and direct therapy of pre-cancerous (dysplasia) tissue.
• Large and advanced colorectal polyps. This involves using high-definition narrow band imaging and confocal endomicroscopy to locate and characterize such lesions, as well as the evaluation of optimal techniques for endoscopic resection of the lesions.
• Pancreatic cancer. As a method for minimally invasive screening for pancreatic cancer, Dr. Wallace utilizes optical spectroscopy methods to detect field effect changes in the adjacent normal-looking duodenum.
• Quality in colonoscopy. This includes factors associated with high-quality colonoscopy, such as visual gaze patterns and advanced imaging systems. Dr. Wallace's team has recently developed and completed a controlled clinical study on educational methods to increase quality — even well above nationally accepted benchmarks.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Wallace's research offers the potential to detect cancers and pre-cancerous growths at earlier stages and lead to less invasive — and often organ-preserving — nonsurgical treatments.