Barrett's esophagus is a change in the lining of the esophagus caused by acid reflux from the stomach. The cells lining the inside of the esophagus is changed to be more like the lining of the stomach designed to withstand the acid from the stomach, this is caused by chronic irritation from stomach acid. Norman Barrett first described Barrett's esophagus in 1950. About ten percent of patients with acid reflux disease develop this condition. It is considered a precursor to acid reflux cancer. Approximately five percent of patients with Barrett's will go on to develop cancer.
Patients with this disorder will need yearly upper endoscopy exams and treatment with a proton-inhibitor such as Prilosec for the time being. Barrett's esophagus is five times more likely to occur in men than women are and twenty times more likely to occur in whites than African Americans. Thus, middle-aged white men with acid reflux symptoms need to be evaluated by their physician if experiencing acid reflux in order to catch acid reflux cancer.
It is very important to maintain yearly surveillance of Barrett's esophagus because malignant change can occur without any symptoms. The risk of acid reflux cancer is related to how much of the esophagus is involved, meaning that a ten centimeter segment is more at risk that a two centimeter segment. The degree of cell change is also important, from low-grade change to high-grade change and eventually leading to cancer. If the patient is a relatively healthy young person and they have developed high-grade dysplasia, the best option is to remove part of the esophagus through surgery.
Now, why does acid reflux occur? There are several explanations. Your lower esophageal sphincter may not work properly to stop stomach acid from flowing into the esophagus. Your stomach may be secreting an extra amount of acid or your opening of the diaphragm might be too large thus allowing the stomach to squeeze up into your chest; this is called hiatal hernia. Treatments of medication or resorting to surgery do not guarantee that the esophagus will return to normal and it may not decrease the chance of getting acid reflux cancer.
Some things that an acid reflux sufferer can do to decrease their symptoms of acid reflux are to eat at least two hours before bed. In addition, lessen the amount of liquid taken with your meals to half a cup. Another good tip is to raise the head of your bed by about six inches; this can be done with blocks.
If acid reflux cancer is in a more advanced stage then there are some signs and symptoms to note. You may suffer from severe weight loss that is unintentional because you find it much more difficult to eat. You may experience pain in your throat, mid-chest or between your shoulder blades. An uncommon symptom is to experience pain when you swallow or a burning feeling behind your breastbone. Lastly, you may experience a chronic cough and even the coughing up of blood. These symptoms do not appear until the cancer is in an advanced stage.
Do you suffer from acid reflux? Check out our site for valuable information on Acid Reflux Symptoms and Treatments
by T.D. Houser
