Barrett’s esophagus

One approach to monitoring Barrett’s esophagus is periodic endoscopies, or the surveillance approach looking at your esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers) with a flexible tube that contains a tiny camera. Your doctor may use endoscopies to watch for signs of cancer development. There are no set guidelines for how often these should be performed, so speak with your doctor about what level of surveillance is best for you. Talk to your doctor or a gastroenterologist about what screening is right for you.

If your gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD symptoms don’t respond to medications, your doctors may consider anti-reflux surgery. However, there is no research to show that medications or surgery will reduce the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus or eventually cancer. GERD is a condition where acid from the stomach comes out into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers).

An alternative to anti-reflux surgery is a procedure called an esophagectomy. This type of surgery involves removing the affected portions of your esophagus, and replacing them with tissue from your stomach or large intestine. This is an invasive procedure and requires recovery time, so many doctors prefer trying other noninvasive methods before proceeding to surgery. For more information about this surgery speak with your doctor.

There are multiple places you can connect with others with Barrett’s esophagus. It is important for you to evaluate support groups and make sure they will meet your needs. However, some support groups are mentioned below.

If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is the main risk factor for developing Barrett’s esophagus, your doctor will most likely want to determine the cause of your ongoing GERD. GERD is a condition where acid from the stomach comes out into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers). If the stomach acid comes out often over a long amount of time this is GERD. To determine the cause of a person’s GERD, a doctor will schedule an upper endoscopy during which a doctor uses a long flexible camera to see the inside of your upper GI tract while you are under light sedation. Your doctor may also recommend testing for Barrett’s espophagus based on your past medical history and if you have factors that increase your risk of having Barrett’s esophagus like male sex, over age 50, or Caucasian (white) ethnicity. Endoscopy detects most (~80%) of cases of Barrett’s esophagus. In some individuals, the anatomy of the esophagus where it meets the stomach may make the diagnoses more difficult to ascertain. Talk to your doctor about when using endoscopy to diagnose Barrett’s esophagus may be right for you.

Having Barrett’s esophagus puts you at an increased risk for developing a certain type of cancer, called esophageal adenocarcinoma. This is a type of cancer of the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers). The risk of developing esophageal cancer due to Barrett’s esophagus is about 0.5% per year for each year you have Barrett’s esophagus. Usually, before cancer develops, precancerous cells are found in the Barrett’s tissue. Although the risk is small, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk, and continue to have regular check-ups to monitor for precancerous cells.

The best way to monitor and treat Barrett’s esophagus is through managing your gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD (a condition where acid from the stomach comes out into the esophagus), symptoms. Your doctor will most likely prescribe acid-suppressing medication called proton-pump inhibitors. This class of medications can help prevent further damage to your esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), and in some cases, help reverse and heal previous damage. Talk to your doctor about prescribing these medications.

Many people with Barrett’s esophagus see a specialist called a gastroenterologist. This doctor specializes in treating conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. You can locate a gastroenterologist near you by visiting the American College of Gastroenetrology’s website at http://patients.gi.org/what-is-a-gastroenterologist/ and click on the "Find a Gastroenterologist" button where you can input your state or zip code. You can also find helpful resources about GI diseases and procedures through this website.

Barrett’s esophagus can be abbreviated as BE. Ask your doctor if they use another abbreviation for Barrett’s esophagus.

During an upper endoscopy, a doctor uses a long flexible camera to see the inside of your upper gastrointestinal tract while you are under light sedation. Endoscopic mucosal resection uses the same technology, but during the same time they inject a solution into the abnormal tissue and remove the cells. Doctors may combine resection with photodynamic therapy to achieve the benefits of both treatments. To learn more about these procedures talk to your doctor or a gastroenterologist.

Dysplasia is a condition where cells have changes that look abnormal under a microscope. Some times dysplasia can lead to cancer. In Barrett’s esophagus, tissue changes occur in the cells lining the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), which can eventually lead to cancer. Your doctor and pathologists (doctor who examines tissues to diagnose diseases), will do a test called an upper endoscopy during which a doctor uses a long flexible camera to see the inside of your upper GI tract while you are under light sedation. They are looking for tissue changes when they examine your esophagus and look under a microscope at the biopsies. Talk to your doctor to learn more about tissue changes that occur in Barrett’s esophagus.

Barrett’s esophagus is a disorder where normal tissue of the esophagus is replaced by tissue similar to the lining of your intestine. People with Barrett’s esophagus have a higher chance to get a rare type of cancer called esophageal adenocarcinoma, however, most people with Barrett’s esophagus do not get esophageal cancer.

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers. The esophagus carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach. Cancer of the esophagus begins in cells that make the inside layer of the esophagus called the mucosa. Normally the inside layer of the esophagus is made of cells called squamous cells. In Barrett’s esophagus the squamous cells that make the mucosa of the esophagus are replaced by glandular cells. Glandular cells are similar to cells that line the intestine. When cancer develops in squamous cells it is called squamous cell carcinoma, and when cancer develops in glandular cells it is called adenocarcinoma.

The diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus is usually done by a special doctor called a gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist is a doctor with special training in treating disorders of the digestive tract and liver. To learn more about Barrett’s esophagus speak with your physician, or ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist. You can also locate a gastroenterologist in your area by using the Find a Gastroenterologist tool on the American College of Gastroenterology website.

The exact cause of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is unknown and most cases are sporadic, but there are some things that can make your chance of having Barrett’s esophagus go up. Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) makes the chance of getting Barrett’s esophagus go up. GERD is a condition where acid from the stomach comes out into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers). If the stomach acid comes out often over a long amount of time this is GERD. When stomach acid comes back into the esophagus this often causes heartburn. Heartburn is a type of indigestion that causes a burning sensation in the chest. Some studies have shown that mutations, or changes, to specific genes may also make the chance to have Barrett’s esophagus higher. Genes are the basic unit of heredity. Genes are made of DNA and are instructions to make proteins and molecules inside the cells that make up the body. To learn more about the cause of Barrett’s esophagus speak with your doctor of a gastroenterologist. You can locate a gastroenterologist in your area by using the Find a Gastroenterologist tool on the American College of Gastroenterology website.

Barrett’s esophagus doesn’t cause symptoms itself and is usually only found on a specific test called an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Upper endoscopy is a procedure where a doctor uses a long flexible tube with a camera called an endoscope to see the lining of the esophagus. The signs and symptoms that may be observed are due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and may include frequent heartburn and indigestion, and less commonly, difficulty swallowing. GERD is a condition where acid from the stomach comes out into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers). If you are concerned that you may have symptoms of GERD speak with your doctor.

There are several things that can increase a person’s chance of developing Barrett’s esophagus. A person’s age increases the risk for Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged and older adults, with an average age at diagnosis of 55. Male gender increases the chance to have Barrett’s esophagus. Men are about twice as likely as women to develop Barrett’s esophagus. Ethnicity is also a risk factor for Barrett’s esophagus with Caucasian (white), people more often being diagnosed than people of other races or ethnicities. Certain lifestyle factors also increase the risk for Barrett’s esophagus. Smokers are more likely to develop Barrett’s esophagus than nonsmokers, and obese patients are also at an increased risk for developing Barrett’s esophagus. To learn more about your risk factors for developing Barrett’s esophagus speak with your doctor or a gastroenterologist. You can locate a gastroenterologist in your area by using the Find a Gastroenterologist tool on the American College of Gastroenterology website.

During an upper endoscopy, a doctor uses a long flexible camera to see the inside of your upper gastrointestinal tract while you are under light sedation. Endoscopic ablative techniques use the same technology, but also add a special device to kill or remove abnormal cells in your esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers). After having an ablative procedure and destroying the bad cells, your body should begin making normal cells. There are two main ablative techniques called photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation. Your doctor will discuss with you which treatment option is best.

The number one goal in treating Barrett’s esophagus is to stop the damage to the esophageal lining. The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers. Getting rid of, or reducing gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD (a condition where acid from the stomach comes out into the esophagus), is the main priority to stop damage to the esophagus. If you have GERD, you can help prevent or relieve those symptoms by changing your diet and behaviors. Decreasing fatty foods and eating smaller more frequent meals rather than three large meals a day can help reduce acid reflux. Other foods to avoid, which may make GERD worse are coffee, chocolate, peppermint, greasy and/or spicy foods, tomatoes and tomato products. Acidic juices like orange and tomato juice can aggravate acid reflux. Additionally, alcoholic drinks can increase your risk of acid reflux. Eating right before bedtime or lying down after a meal is likely to worsen acid reflux. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your diet to reduce the symptoms of GERD.

Your doctor will talk to you about the best treatment options for Barrett’s esophagus based on your overall health, and the degree of the changes in your esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), seen. Treatment options include medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD (a condition where acid from the stomach comes out into the esophagus), surveillance, endoscopic ablative techniques, endoscopic mucosal resection, and surgery. Talk with your doctor about options for treating Barrett’s esophagus.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is a research group of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that conducts and supports basic research into many digestive diseases, including Barrett’s esophagus. Visit their website here http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

Having a certain kind of bacterial infection called H.pylori (a type of bacteria that causes an infection in the stomach), may decrease your risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus. It’s not quite clear to doctors how H. pylori can be protective, but some believe that the bacteria makes the contents of the stomach less damaging to the esophagus if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD causes stomach acid to move back into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), and when this happens it can irritate and damage the inside of the esophagus. Other factors like regular use of aspirin or other Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and maintaining a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, may decrease your risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus. Talk with your doctor about other ways to reduce the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus.

Most of the time Barrett’s esophagus is not thought to be inherited (passed down in a family), but there are some families that have increased rates of Barrett’s esophagus. Research of families with increased rates of Barrett’s esophagus have found that there are at least three genes (made of DNA and are instructions to make proteins and molecules inside the cells that make up the body) that when changed or mutated appear to increase the risk for a person to have Barrett’s esophagus. These are called "predisposition" genes because they don’t directly cause the condition, they just make it more likely to happen if there is a gene change or mutation. The names of the predisposition genes are MSR1, ASCC1, and CTHRC1. To learn more about the genetics of Barrett’s esophagus speak with your doctor or a genetic counselor. Genetic counselors in the United States can be found on the National Society of Genetic Counselors website. Genetic counselors in Canada can be found at the Canadian Association of Genetic Counselors website.

Studies have shown that how often and intense the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are for a person does not affect the chance of developing Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer. GERD causes stomach acid to move back into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), and when this happens it can irritate and damage the inside of the esophagus. If you are concerned about your heartburn or GERD symptoms you should talk to your healthcare provider about treatment.

The constant irritation and damage to the lining of the esophagus from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can cause changes to occur in the cells lining the esophagus. GERD causes stomach acid to move back into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), and when this happens it can irritate and damage the inside of the esophagus. Changes in the esophageal lining can then lead to Barrett’s esophagus. Between 5-10% of people with GERD will develop Barrett’s esophagus. If you have GERD and are concerned about developing Barrett’s esophagus speak with your doctor about your personal risk.

In order to confirm a diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus, a special kind of doctor called a pathologist will study the tissue samples taken from the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), during an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy (a procedure where a doctor uses a long flexible tube with a camera called an endoscope to see the lining of the esophagus). A pathologist is a doctor who examines tissues to diagnose diseases. The pathologist will determine if Barrett’s cells are present in your sample. Barrett’s esophagus can be hard to diagnose because it does not affect every cell in the lining of your esophagus, so your doctor will take biopsies or tissue samples from at least 8 different areas of the esophagus for the pathologist to examine. If you have further questions about the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus using biopsy or tissue samples speak with your doctor.

A diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus occurs when specific changes in tissue lining the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers) are found. To see this, doctors will perform a special test called an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy (a procedure where a doctor uses a long flexible tube with a camera called an endoscope to see the lining of the esophagus) and take several biopsies or samples of tissue. Typically this procedure is performed by a gastroenterologist, surgeon, or other trained healthcare professional. If you are interested in having an upper GI endoscopy speak with your healthcare provider about a referral to one of these specialists or you can locate a gastroenterologist in your area by using the Find a Gastroenterologist tool on the American College of Gastroenterology website.

It is not clear how common Barrett’s esophagus is; however, researchers estimate that it affects between 1.6-6.8% of people worldwide. To learn more about Barrett’s esophagus talk with your doctor or gastroenterologist.

Just because someone has GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) it does not automatically mean they will get Barrett’s esophagus. GERD causes stomach acid to move back into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), and when this happens it can irritate and damage the inside of the esophagus. This irritation and damage is what causes most of the symptoms of GERD, like heartburn and indigestion. The constant irritation and damage to the lining of the esophagus from GERD can cause changes to occur in the lining, which can cause Barrett’s esophagus in some people. Between 5-10% of people with GERD will develop Barrett’s esophagus. If you have GERD and are concerned about developing Barrett’s esophagus speak your doctor or ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist.

Because heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the main known cause of Barrett’s esophagus, controlling your GERD symptoms can help control the damage done to the lining of the esophagus. GERD causes stomach acid to move back into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), and when this happens it can irritate and damage the inside of the esophagus. You should speak with your doctor about medications and any special dietary considerations that may help manage your GERD symptoms. Obesity and smoking can also increase your chances of developing Barrett’s esophagus.

Children rarely develop Barrett’s esophagus, and if they do it is not usually seen before five years of age. The average age of diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus is about 55. If you are concerned about a child having Barrett’s esophagus speak with their physician about making a diagnosis.

Other than upper gastrointestinal endoscopy there is another kind of endoscopy called capsule endoscopy that allows a physician to view the lining of your esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers), when you have Barrett’s esophagus. Capsule endoscopy involves swallowing a capsule with a camera, which transmits images to a device you wear on your belt. The capsule will pass naturally through your digestive tract and your doctor may view the images afterwards. Unfortunately, your doctor cannot take a biopsy or sample of the esophagus through this method, so there is no way to confirm a diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus. If you are interested in having a capsule endoscopy speak with your doctor or a gastroenterologist about the procedure. You can locate a gastroenterologist in your area by using the Find a Gastroenterologist tool on the American College of Gastroenterology website.

Other names for Barrett’s esophagus include:

As of June 2019, there are clinical studies being conducted on Barrett’s esophagus ranging from therapies to new diagnostic techniques. To find up-to-date applicable clinical trial information, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/ and search "Barrett’s Esophagus." To decide if participating in clinical trials is right for you, visit http://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you.

Most of the time Barrett’s esophagus is not thought to be inherited (passed down in a family), but there are some families that have increased rates of Barrett’s esophagus. Research of families with increased rates of Barrett’s esophagus have found that there are at least three genes that when changed or mutated appear to increase the risk for a person to have Barrett’s esophagus. These are called "predisposition" genes because they don’t directly cause the condition, they just make it more like to happen if there is a gene change or mutation. The names of the predisposition genes are MSR1, ASCC1, and CTHRC1 genes. Genes are the basic unit of heredity. Genes are made of DNA and are instructions to make proteins and molecules inside the cells that make up the body. To learn more about the genes involved with Barrett’s esophagus talk to your doctor or a genetic counselor. To find a genetic counselor near you, use the Find a Genetic Counselor tool on the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) website.