Nutrition Health Chat: Today, 5-6 PM Eastern. Learn how vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients affect your health. Free live Q&A. Join us!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Diagnosed with Barretts Disease
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Diagnosed with Barretts Disease
by Tom__0__0, Sep 05, 1998 12:00AM
I would like to know some information on this disease I have had stomach problems for 20 years and have had so many tests and tryed all the new medicines and my dr said that Ihave barretts disease and that I should have the endoscopy done once a year the last test that i had was 7/97 how often do I need to have this done.I have had the scope done 6 times in the last 7 years and this is the first Dr. to tell me that I have this problem.can you tell me how serious this is.
Dear Tom,
Esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma) that is associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux is uncommon but usually arises from a pre-malignant lesion called Barrett's esophagus. This refers to a change in the lining of the lower esophagus. Instead of the lining appearing pink, it looks darker like the lining of the stomach. When biopsies are taken, the glands can appear like stomach or intestinal glands. If intestinal glands are present it is called intestinal metaplasia. Intestinal metaplasia is felt to be the pre-malignant lesion in Barrett's esophagus. When symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux have been present in an older patient (about 45 years old) for 5-10 years it is appropriate to have an upper GI endoscopy to look for the typical endoscopic findings of Barrett's esophagus. If these endoscopic findings are noted, biopsies are taken to look for intestinal metaplasia. If intestinal metaplasia is present, surveillance endoscopies are recommended every 2 years or so to look for dysplasia (glandular distortion-a sign that cancer is more likely to develop in these cells). Barrett's esophagus has been noted in 10-15% of patients who have a diagnostic endoscopy for gastroesophageal reflux. The annual incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in adult patients with Barrett's esophagus is about 0.8%. I hope you find this information helpful.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: Barrett's esophagus
