Barrett’s esophagus is a condition marked by a change in the lining of the esophagus, caused by continuous exposure to stomach acid. Barrett’s esophagus is known to increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Estimates indicate that the risk increase is 40 to 120 times normal, and 0.5% of Barrett’s patients will develop cancer each year.
If you or a loved one suspect you have Barrett’s esophagus, you can rely on our Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Heartburn & Swallowing specialists for expert diagnosis and care.
What are the symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus?
Because Barrett’s esophagus is just a cellular change in the esophageal lining, the disorder doesn’t cause any symptoms itself. While Barrett’s esophagus is usually symptomless, the causes of the disorder are often symptomatic. Some Barrett’s esophagus symptoms caused by irritation include:
- Trouble swallowing
- Chest pain
- Heart burn
- Regurgitation
- Hoarse throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Coughing
What causes Barrett’s esophagus?
Each case of Barrett’s esophagus is different, but they all stem from the esophageal lining changing to protect or repair itself. The irritation or damage that leads to the development of Barrett’s esophagus can occur in many ways. The most common cause of Barrett’s esophagus is chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. GERD is a chronic condition causing stomach acid to flow into the esophagus, damaging the esophageal lining and leading to Barrett’s esophagus. While GERD is the most common cause of Barrett’s esophagus, some people may not present with both issues.
Who’s at risk for Barrett’s esophagus?
While anyone can develop Barrett’s esophagus, some people are at a higher risk than others. Some of the risk factors for developing Barrett’s esophagus include:
- Aging
- Being male
- Smoking
- Having GERD
How is Barrett’s esophagus diagnosed?
To diagnose you with Barrett’s esophagus, your NGPG Heartburn & Swallowing specialist will perform a series of testing. The steps for diagnosing Barrett’s esophagus include:
- Upper endoscopy: During this procedure, the endoscope, a long flexible tube-like camera, is inserted into the esophagus to visualize and biopsy the lining.
- Biopsy: During the upper endoscopy, your physician will remove samples of tissue from your esophageal lining.
- Testing: After the endoscopy, the biopsied lining sample will be tested for the characteristic change to Barrett’s esophagus and confirm your diagnosis.
Patients with Barrett’s esophagus should have regular endoscopic examinations to evaluate for further changes that indicate an even higher risk of cancer. These changes, called dysplasia, are associated with a significant chance of cancer development, and require closer surveillance or additional, more aggressive treatment than medicine alone.
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“About forty percent of our adult population experiences some type of GERD monthly, many of those much more commonly. That translates into millions of GERD patients in the United States.”
How is Barrett’s esophagus treated?
If you have dysplasia in the esophagus from Barrett’s, removing the affected tissue is the best course of treatment to avoid developing cancer. NGPG Heartburn & Swallowing offers the following treatment options for Barrett’s esophagus:
- HALO Procedure: One strategy for managing Barrett’s esophagus is to destroy the abnormal tissue with radiofrequency waves. This endoscopically administered radiofrequency ablation, or HALO procedure, has been shown to be effective in eliminating Barrett’s tissue. Dr. Graybeal has extensive experience in performing the HALO procedure.
- Endoscopic removal: Some patients will have high grade dysplasia which can be removed endoscopically, rather than destroyed. This minimally invasive procedure uses an endoscope to remove the tissue damaged by Barrett’s esophagus.
- Surgery: For those with severe tissue damage, there is a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer and surgical removal is the best option. Barrett’s esophagus surgery methods and aggressiveness will depend on your case.
Choose NGPG for Barrett’s Esophagus Diagnosis & Treatment
At NGPG, we understand how frustrating suffering from heart burn or other symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus can be. Our team at NGPG Heartburn & Swallowing is dedicated to diagnosing and treating Barrett’s esophagus, getting you relief as quickly as possible.
If you have Barrett’s esophagus or suffer from regular heartburn or swallowing problems, Dr. Graybeal has two decades of experience diagnosing, treating and curing patients with esophageal disorders. We do all screening and treatment planning in-house and recommend the best treatment approach.