Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus changes, becoming more like the lining of the small intestine rather than the esophagus. This occurs in the area where the esophagus is joined to the stomach.
It is believed that the main reason that Barrett’s esophagus develops is because of chronic inflammation resulting from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Barrett’s esophagus is more common in people who have had GERD for a long period of time or who developed it at a young age. It is interesting that the frequency or the intensity of GERD symptoms, such as heartburn, does not affect the likelihood that someone will develop Barrett’s esophagus.
Most patients with Barrett’s esophagus will not develop cancer. In some patients, however, a precancerous change in the tissue, called dysplasia, will develop. That precancerous change is more likely to develop into esophageal cancer.
A diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus can only be made using endoscopy and detecting a change in the lining of the esophagus that can be confirmed by a biopsy of the tissue. The definitive diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus requires biopsy confirmation of the change in the lining of the esophagus.
Am I at risk for esophageal cancer?
There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.
Squamous cell cancers occur most commonly in individuals who smoke cigarettes, use tobacco products and drink alcohol. In addition, African Americans are also at increased risk of developing this type of cancer. This cancer is also very common in many areas in Asia. The frequency of squamous cell cancer of the esophagus in the United States has remained the same.
Another cancer, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, occurs most commonly in people with GERD. It is also very common in Caucasian males with increased body weight. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is increasing in frequency in the United States.
The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, a condition that 20 percent of American adults’ experience at least twice a week. Although these individuals are at increased risk of developing esophageal cancer, majority of them will never develop it. In a few patients with GERD (about 10 to 15 percent of patients), a change in the lining of the esophagus develops near the area where the esophagus and stomach join. When this happens, the condition is called Barrett’s esophagus. Doctors believe that most cases of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus begin as Barrett’s esophagus.
How does my doctor test for Barrett’s Esophagus?
Your doctor will first perform an endoscopy to see if there are sufficient changes. In an upper endoscopy, the physician passes a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope through your mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The endoscope has a camera lens and a light source and projects images onto a video monitor. This allows the physician to see if there is a change in the lining of the esophagus. If your doctor suspects Barrett’s esophagus, a sample of tissue (a biopsy) will be taken to make a definitive diagnosis.
Capsule Endoscopy is another test that has been used to examine the esophagus. In capsule endoscopy, the patient swallows a pill-sized video capsule that passes naturally through your digestive tract while transmitting video images to a data recorder worn on your belt. With capsule endoscopy, the physician is not able to take a sample of the tissue (a biopsy).
How is Barrett’s Esophagus treated?
Medicines and/or surgery can effectively control the symptoms of GERD. However, neither medications nor surgery for GERD can reverse the presence of Barrett’s esophagus or eliminate the risk of cancer. There are treatments available that can destroy the Barrett’s tissue. These treatments may decrease the development of cancer in some patients. They include heat (radiofrequency ablation, thermal ablation with argon plasma coagulation and multipolar coagulation), cold energy (cryotherapy) or the use of light and special chemicals (photodynamic therapy).
It is necessary to discuss the availability and the effectiveness of these treatments with your gastroenterologist to be certain that you are a candidate. There are potential risks from these treatments, and they may not benefit many patients with Barrett’s esophagus. There is much research being conducted in this area; you should talk with your doctor about recommendations and guidelines.
What is dysplasia?
Dysplasia is a precancerous condition that doctors can only diagnose by examining tissue samples under a microscope. When dysplasia is seen in the tissue sample, it is usually described as being “high-grade,” “low-grade” or “indefinite for dysplasia.”
- In high-grade dysplasia, abnormal changes are seen in many of the cells and there is an abnormal growth pattern of the cells.
- Low-grade dysplasia means that there are some abnormal changes seen in the tissue sample, but the changes do not involve most of the cells, and the growth pattern of the cells is still normal.
- “Indefinite for dysplasia” simply means that the pathologist is not certain whether changes seen in the tissue are caused by dysplasia. Other conditions, such as inflammation or swelling of the esophageal lining, can make cells appear dysplastic when they may not be.
F.Y.I.
Barrett’s Esophagus may be related to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), which occurs when contents in the stomach flow back into the esophagus due to the valve between the stomach and the esophagus not closing properly.
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
This information is intended only to provide general guidance. It does not provide definitive medical advice. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.
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