People who experience acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may develop a potentially dangerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus if their reflux remains untreated. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the normal tissue lining of the esophagus changes into tissue similar to the lining of the stomach. According to WebMD,10 – 15% of people with chronic GERD will develop Barrett’s esophagus overtime. This condition seems to occur more commonly in men than women, and more often in Caucasian individuals. Barrett’s esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer, but according to a Columbus, Ohio gastroenterologist, only 3- 5% of patients with Barrett’s will progress to this stage.
Barrett’s esophagus has no signs or symptoms. The primary risk factor for developing Barrett’s is gastroesophageal reflux disease. People without reflux symptoms can also develop Barrett’s, however it is 3 – 5 times more likely to develop in people who have or have had symptomatic reflux disease.
Physicians treat GERD patients with acid-lowering medications in an effort to prevent Barrett’s from developing. However, the treatment plan for patients over the age of 40, who have had GERD for a number of years, is to undergo endoscopy with biopsies to check for Barrett’s esophagus. This plan especially includes individuals who have had reflux for greater than five years without treatment. If biopsies show precancerous changes (dysplasia), physicians will recommend continued endoscopic surveillance to watch for progression to cancer. If high-grade dysplasia or cancer does develop, there are endoscopic treatments available. Two of these include:
- Photodynamic Therapy – a procedure that uses laser and a light-sensitizing agent to kill precancerous and cancerous cells
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection – a procedure that removes the Barrett’s lining from the esophagus
The goal of these procedures is to remove the Barrett’s lining to hopefully allow good esophageal tissue to regrow. Surgical removal of the esophagus may be recommended for patients that have extensive involvement and cancer due to Barrett’s esophagus.
Fore more information on GERD, read "Acid reflux can lead to more serious conditions"
For more information on Barrett’s esophagus, visit http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/barretts/
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