- Home >
- News & Events >
- Baylor Clinic Healthletters
|
|
|
Baylor Clinic Healthletters
Barrett's Esophagus
By Yasser H. Shaib, MD, MPH and Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH
What is Barrett's Esophagus?
Barrett's esophagus is an inflammation of the lining of the esophagus–the muscular, feeding tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. The condition develops in response to the esophagus' prolonged, untreated exposure to stomach acid via gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If left untreated, Barrett's esophagus can develop into cancer. Patients with Barrett's esophagus also have an increased risk for developing ulcers and the narrowing of their esophagus, which can lead to problems swallowing food.
The initial symptoms of Barrett's esophagus and GERD are parallel. When GERD occurs, the stomach's juices flow back into the esophagus. The cells that line the esophagus then become inflamed and cause individuals to have heartburn, acid regurgitation or a sour acid taste in their mouths.
While a GERD diagnosis can be a precursor to Barrett's esophagus, it does not necessarily mean you will develop the illness. GERD affects about one in five adults in the United States, but Barrett's esophagus only affects about 700,000 adults annually.
Your risk of developing Barrett's esophagus increases if GERD symptoms occur several times a week or if GERD persists for four years or more. In addition to having GERD, the risk of developing Barrett's esophagus increases if you are a white male, older than 50, obese or a smoker. A family history of Barrett's esophagus or GERD can also increase your risk of developing the condition.
With proper treatment, most patients with Barrett's esophagus live healthy lives with little or no need for medical treatment. However, a small number of Barrett's esophagus patients can develop a relatively rare, but often deadly type of cancer of the esophagus called esophageal adenocarcinoma.
