What is Barrett’s disease or Barrett’s esophagus? Posted: 09-23-06 13:28pm
I have recently been diagnosed with
Barretts and would like to know more about
it. Does smoking effect it in any way? I
know it doesn't help anything but does it
increase chances of getting cancer.
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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General Q&A Answer A1576 Posted: 10-06-06 02:47am
Barrett’s disease or Barrett’s
esophagus is a condition wherein the
esophageal mucosa transforms into a type
of stomach or intestinal mucosa. The
muscosa is called "metaplasia". There are
2 types of Barrett’s esophagus: inborn
and acquired.
Inborn Barrett’s esophagus is present in
children and it is believed to represent a
disturbance during embryogenesis
(ectopy).
Acquired Barrett’s esophagus an
inflammatory genesis (begins with
inflammation) and is typical for people
over 50. Acquired Barrett’s esophagus
is caused by the repeated reflux of
stomach acid into the esophagus. Stomach
acid can cause chronic erosive
inflammation of the esophagus
(esophagitis) in the lower third of the
esophagus. Repeated esophagitis, over
time, can cause transformation of the
esophageal squamous epithelium into a
cylindrical shaped cell, similar to the
epithelium in the stomach or intestines
(metaplasia). That’s why Barrett’s
esophagus is 3-5 times more common in
people who have gastro-esophageal reflux
disease (GERD) than in those who don't. In
your case, GERD may be caused by the
hiatus hernia that you report as a
pre-existing condition. Barrett’s
esophagus doesn't cause any symptoms, but
the symptoms of GERD (heartburn) or
diseases that caused GERD (hiatus hernia,
chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers…) are
present. Smoking is not related with
developing Barrett’s esophagus.
Metaplasia is often followed by epithelial
dysplasion (a precancerous lesion).
That’s why Barrett’s esophagus has a
potential for developing esophageal
adeno-carcinoma. Esophageal
adeno-carcinoma is 80 times more common in
people with Barrett’s esophagus than in
others who have not been diagnosed with
Barrett’s esophagus.
There is no treatment for Barrett’s
esophagus. However, GERD can be treated,
depending on the original cause, either
with medicines (antacids, H2-blockers,
proton pump-inhibitors…) or surgically.
Prevention of esophageal adeno-carcinoma
can be done by performing a regular
gastroscopy with a biopsy.
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