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Barrett esophagus
Barrett's esophagus; GERD - Barrett; Reflux - Barrett
Barrett esophagus (BE) is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged by stomach acid. The esophagus is also called the food pipe or swallowing tube.
People with BE have an increased risk for cancer in the area involved. However, cancer is not common.
Causes
When you eat, food passes from your throat to your stomach through the esophagus. The esophagus is also called the food pipe or swallowing tube. A ring of muscle fibers in the lower esophagus keeps stomach contents from moving backward.
If these muscles do not close tightly, harsh stomach acid can leak into the esophagus. This is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) . It may cause tissue damage over time. The lining becomes similar to that of the stomach.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from...
BE occurs more often in men than women. People who have had GERD for a long time are more likely to have this condition.
Symptoms
BE itself does not cause symptoms. The acid reflux that causes Barrett esophagus often leads to symptoms of heartburn. Many people with this condition do not have any symptoms.
Acid reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from...
Exams and Tests
You may need an endoscopy if GERD symptoms are severe or come back after treatment.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera and light on the end of it. This instrument is called an...
During the endoscopy, your health care provider may take tissue samples from different parts of the food pipe. These biopsies help diagnose the condition. They also help look for changes that could lead to cancer.
Biopsies
A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
Your provider may recommend a follow-up endoscopy to look for cell changes that indicate cancer. People with Barrett esophagus are recommended to have follow-up endoscopy every 3 to 5 years, or more if abnormal cells are found.
Treatment
TREATMENT OF GERD
Treatment should improve acid reflux symptoms , and may keep BE from getting worse. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes and medicines such as:
Acid reflux symptoms
Peptic esophagitis - discharge; Reflux esophagitis - discharge; GERD - discharge; Heartburn - chronic - discharge
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Antacids
after meals and at bedtime
Antacids
Heartburn - antacids; Reflux - antacids; GERD - antacids
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Histamine H2 receptor blockers
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Avoiding tobacco use
Lifestyle changes, medicines, and anti-reflux surgery may help with symptoms of GERD. However, these steps will not make Barrett esophagus go away.
Anti-reflux surgery
Anti-reflux surgery is a treatment for acid reflux, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GERD is a condition in which food or stoma...
TREATMENT OF BARRETT ESOPHAGUS
Endoscopic biopsy can show changes in the cell that may be cancer. You provider may advise surgery or other procedures to treat that.
Some of the following procedures remove the harmful tissue in your esophagus:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a special laser device, called an esophageal balloon, along with a drug called Photofrin.
- Other procedures use different types of high energy to destroy the precancerous tissue.
- Surgery to remove the abnormal lining.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Treatment should improve acid reflux symptoms and may keep BE from getting worse. None of these treatments will reverse the changes that may lead to cancer.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if:
- Heartburn lasts for longer than a few days, or you have pain or problems swallowing.
- You have been diagnosed with Barrett esophagus and your symptoms get worse,
- You develop new symptoms (such as weight loss, problems swallowing).
Prevention
Diagnosis and treatment of GERD may prevent Barrett esophagus.
References
ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, Muthusamy VR, Lightdale JR, Acosta RD, et al. The role of endoscopy in the management of GERD. Gastrointest Endosc . 2015;81(6):1305-1310. PMID: 25863867 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25863867 .
Falk GW, Katzka DA. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 138.
Ferri FF. Barrett esophagus. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2016 . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:202-203.
Katz PO, Gerson LB, Vela MF. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Am J Gastroenterol . 2013;108(3):308-328. PMID: 23419381 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23419381 .
Shaheen NJ, Falk GW, Iyer PG, Gerson LB; American College of Gastroenterology. ACG clinical guideline: diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus. Am J Gastroenterol . 2016;111(1):30-50. PMID 26526079 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26526079 .
Spechler SJ, Sharma P, Souza RF, Inadomi JM, Shaheen NJ. American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement on the management of Barrett's esophagus. Gastroenterology . 2011;140(3):1084-1091. PMID: 21376940 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21376940 .
Spechler SJ, Souza RF. Barrett's esophagus. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 45.
Teran MD, Brock MV. The management of Barrett's esophagus. In: Cameron, JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:19-23.
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Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
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Esophagus and stomach anatomy - illustration
Food is swallowed and passes through the esophagus to the stomach, where the majority of digestion takes place.
Esophagus and stomach anatomy
illustration
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Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
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Esophagus and stomach anatomy - illustration
Food is swallowed and passes through the esophagus to the stomach, where the majority of digestion takes place.
Esophagus and stomach anatomy
illustration
Review Date: 1/28/2016
Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist at Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
