Barrett's Disease

[HB50]

My husband has GERD  and recently his biopsy came back positive for Barrett's. The doctor is going to redo in a couple months thinking it may be a false positive. He also had a stomach polyp removed at same time that tested positive for a "rare" type of polyp to be in the stomach. He gets severe pain in the "sternum" area and has much fatigue. Is the fatigue a symptom that goes along with this? should he have any pancreatic testing done?

[Smiley2000]

Please have a look at this link:

http://www.thompsoncancer.com/barretts

very good info on Barrets and treatment options, etc.

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

Barrets Esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition.  The GI doc can diagnose Barrets via Endoscopy as they know what the metaplasia - sell changes - looks like and then they do a biopsy to confirm the diagnoses and to check for dysplasia - that is the Barrets sells turning cancerous.  But sometimes they miss the specific sells and it can come back as "no intestinal metaplasia" even though you still have Barrets.  That is why you have it done annually or some people go every 3 years.

As "Flycaster" said, only 5% of cases will turn cancerous - show signs of dysplasia - and then that patients need more frequent biopsies as dysplasia can be graded in low, medium and high grade.  Only high grade dysplasia needs aggressive treatment.

So even though Barrets E is a horrible diagnoses, it can actually stay "harmless" for many years or even NEVER change into dysplasia.

It is very good news to read that he is going to start getting his GERD under control and please let us know if we can be of any further help w.r.t. supplying info on diet, changes, etc.

All the best,

[HB50]

Thanks for taking the time to answer a few of my questions.It's frustrating seeing different doctors and hearing different opinions. We will continue to check out all symptoms. I've read several articles saying it's possible to have a false positive reading for Barrett's.. Until the next test we are going to work hard on getting the GERD under control through diet and meds and hope for the best.

[Flycaster305]

Any comments you get should be considered just at best, ideas, and not advice.
I have Barrett's E.  The chances of it becoming an active cancer is less that 5%.  I have to be checked out with an Endoscopy every two years to see if the cells have changed after my surgery to correct the problem.  I will say that severe pain in the sturnum needs to be evaluated to rule out heart issues, I rocked back and forth trying to sort out whether I had angina or stomach issues (I had both).  
I think a risk factor based on family members that had pancreatic cancer was sudden and unexplained weight loss as well as a change in the color of stools.
Hope this helps, do encourage further tests to sort out your husband's issues.