BARRETT'S
ESOPHAGUS
Barrett's esophagus
Barrett's esophagus causes no symptoms, but you are at risk for the condition if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Abel Bello, provides state-of-the-art diagnostic testing, develops personalized treatment plans and has years of experience performing minimally invasive surgery when necessary to treat Barrett's esophagus.
What is Barrett's esophagus?
Barrett's esophagus develops when the tissues lining the esophagus change and the normal cell structure changes into different abnormal cells.
These changes can progress, become precancerous and then develop into cancer. Although 95% of patients with Barrett's esophagus do not develop esophageal cancer, their risk is higher compared to people without the condition.
Barrett's esophagus is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). About 5 to 15% of patients with GERD develop Barrett's esophagus, as stomach acid causes inflammation and cellular changes in the lining of the esophagus.
What symptoms develop due to Barrett's esophagus?
The cellular changes of Barrett's esophagus do not cause symptoms. If you have GERD, you will experience symptoms such as:
- Heartburn
- Chronic dry cough
- Chest pain
- Hoarseness
- Sore throat
- Regurgitation
If you have GERD and are not under medical care, it is time to consider scheduling an appointment at MIB Surgery. They can evaluate your symptoms and perform an endoscopy if necessary to examine the tissues in your esophagus to determine if you have Barrett's esophagus.
During your endoscopy, a tissue sample is removed and sent to a laboratory for evaluation. In the laboratory, a pathologist examines the cells with a microscope to see if there are precancerous changes.
How is Barrett's esophagus treated?
Your treatment depends on the extent of abnormal cell growth in your esophagus. You may need regular monitoring to detect precancerous changes at an early stage. Otherwise, your MIB Surgery physician recommends the best treatment based on the severity of your symptoms.
If you have GERD, you may need medication and lifestyle changes to keep it under control and prevent progressive cellular changes. You may need anti-reflux surgery if conservative treatments do not help.
When your Barrett's esophagus is severe or your biopsy shows precancerous changes, you will need to undergo a procedure to remove the damaged cells, such as:
- Endoscopic resection
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Photodynamic therapy
- Cryotherapy
If you have high-grade dysplasia, which is the final cell change before you develop full-blown esophageal cancer, you will have surgery to remove the damaged part of the esophagus.
MIB Surgery, a leading medical institution, is passionately committed to offering state-of-the-art procedures aimed at promoting the maximum well-being of our esteemed patients.