Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett’s Esophagus is a condition whereby the lower portion
of the esophagus is burned by chronic acid reflux. This
condition then allows the stomach lining to replace the burned
esophageal lining. Because of this alteration there is a
very small chance of cancer occurring in that area. This
risk has probably been over estimated in the past, causing a
great deal of worry in the lay population. We have,
however, studied this issue and presented our 12 year findings
at the National Gastrointestinal Society meetings of 11/03.
We found a 0.5% annual incidence of esophageal cancer in
patients with Barrett’s Esophagus. More importantly only
those patients with long lengths of the abnormal lining
developed cancer. Patients with very short lengths of
Barrett’s tissue did not go on to cancer in our studies.
However, since there are no certainties when dealing with the
human condition, we continue to recommend surveillance of the
esophagus with gastroscopy every 3 years for patients with a
long Barrett’s Esophagus and every 5 years when they have a
short Barrett’s. Chronic use of a proton pump inhibitor,
i.e. Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex) is
recommended. This may reduce the risk of cancer even
further. We have not found that anti-reflux surgery has
ever led to regression (cure) of Barrett’s Esophagus, nor has it
been as effective in controlling acid reflux as medical therapy
(in general).
Please check the article and research on Barrett’s Esophagus under GI News on our website.
