MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Barrett’s esophagus

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Barrett’s esophagus

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Digestive system

Esophagus and stomach anatomy

Definition Return to top

Barrett's esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus (the tube which carries food from the throat to the stomach) is damaged by irritation from leaked stomach acid. This leakage of acid is commonly known as "heartburn" (gastroesophageal reflux).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Irritation of the lining of the esophagus by gastric acid secretions (stomach acid) causes Barrett's esophagus. It occurs more frequently in men than women. Risk factors are frequent and long-standing gastroesophageal reflux. The condition carries an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus.

Symptoms Return to top

Barrett's esophagus itself does not cause symptoms. The acid reflux that causes Barrett's esophagus results in symptoms of heartburn. Rarely, Barrett's esophagus can progress to cancer of the esophagus, which may cause difficulty swallowing or weight loss.

Signs and tests Return to top

Looking at the esophagus with an endoscope and obtaining a sample of esophagus tissue for examination (esophagoscopy with biopsy) may reveal Barrett's esophagus.

Treatment Return to top

Treatment includes general measures to control gastroesophageal reflux, medications, and surgery. Treatment may be important even if the patient doesn't feel any symptoms.

General measures include:

Weight reduction
Avoiding lying down after meals
Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated
Taking medication with plenty of water
Avoiding dietary fat, chocolate, caffeine, and peppermint because they may cause lower esophageal pressure
Avoiding alcohol and tobacco

Medications to relieve symptoms and control gastroesophageal reflux include antacids after meals and at bedtime, histamine H2 receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors, cholinergic agents, and promotility agents.

Surgery to remove a portion of the esophagus (resection of the esophagus) may be indicated, if a biopsy shows the type of cellular changes that tend to lead to cancer (dysplasia).

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

An increased risk of esophageal cancer is present. Follow-up endoscopy to look for dysplasia or cancer is often advised.

Complications Return to top

Esophageal dysplasia
Esophageal cancer

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if heartburn persists for longer than a few days, or you have pain or difficulty swallowing.

Call your provider if symptoms worsen, do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop in a person with Barrett's esophagus.

Prevention Return to top

Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux may prevent the onset of Barrett's esophagus.

Update Date: 7/16/2004

Updated by: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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