What is Barrett's Esophagus?

Barrett's esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition affecting the lining of the esophagus.

How Does Barrett's Esophagus Develop?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder in which stomach contents move up into the esophagus, producing symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation and chest pain. In some patients with GERD, the normal esophageal lining is damaged and takes on on a different appearance both endoscopically and microscopically. This is called "intestinal metaplasia" or Barrett's esophagus. Patients with GERD symptoms more than twice a week should consult with their physician.

How is Barrett's Esophagus Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus requires that the patient undergoes an upper endoscopy procedure by their physician. Endoscopy is a non-surgical procedure and is performed using moderate sedation. Barrett's esophagus tissue appears as a different color on examination, which directs a biopsy of the tissue for pathology evaluation. A finding of intestinal cells in the esophagus (intestinal metaplasia) confirms a Barrett's esophagus diagnosis. 

How is Barrett's Esopahgus Treated?

Joint recommendations from medical societies recommend that a patient with Barrett's esophagus should undergo an upper endoscopy procedure with biopsies on a regular basis for the remainder of their lifetime. In addition to surveillance endoscopy approaches for Barrett's esophagus, there are treatment options that include endoscopic and surgical therapy to eliminate the Barrett's tissue completely. Endoscopic procedures include:

• Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) - EMR encompasses the removal of precancerous and early gastrointestinal tumors using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. EMR is currently used to remove tumors of the esophagus, stomach and colon/rectum, along with Barrett's esophagus and colon polyps. EMR can be used to avoid surgical treatment of these lesions.
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) - RFA is a thermal ablative technique that utilizes current that is delivered through a balloon catheter or probe to treat Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal cancer. RFA is a safe, minimally invasive treatment that may prevent the need for esophageal surgery. This procedure can be performed as a come-and-go procedure.
• Cryotherapy - Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to ablate diseased tissue in the GI tract. Liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide is delivered using a catheter passed through an endoscope to freeze the target tissue. Cryotherapy has been used in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer.

Physician Who Treats Barrett's Esophagus

Other Resources

View video of Dr. V. Raman Muthusamy discussing Barrett's Esophagus »