Barrett's Esophagus Health Center

Barrett's esophagus is most commonly seen in individuals with advanced acid reflux or GERD, so physicians often recommend treating GERD symptoms with acid-reducing medications. This treatment plan may lower the risk of developing Barrett's esophagus.

GERD symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter, acid-reducing medications called antacids as well as anti-secretory medications like H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Examples of possible treatment medications include the following:

• Alka-Seltzer
• Maalox
• Mylanta
• Pepto-Bismol
• Riopan
• Rolaids
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Famotidine (Pepcid AC)
• Nizatidine (Axid)
• Ranitidine (Zantac)
• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Iansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix)
• Rabeprazole (Aciphex)

Individuals with Barrett's esophagus have a low but present risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma — a cancer affecting the esophagus. However, less than 1 percent of people with Barrett's esophagus develop this cancer each year. Typically, before cancer develops, precancerous cells appear in the Barrett's tissue within the esophagus. This condition is called dysplasia and can be detected only through the use of biopsies.

Surgical treatments are available to treat severe dysplasia and cancer that result from Barrett's esophagus. During surgical treatments, the Barrett's lining is destroyed or the portion of infected tissue is cut out. The goal of these particular procedures is to encourage normal esophageal tissue to replace the destroyed Barrett's lining. Following the removal of a portion of the esophagus, a portion of the stomach is sometimes pulled up into the chest and attached to what remains of the damaged esophagus.

Barrett's esophagus also can be treated with endoscopic procedures performed at specialty centers by physicians. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) can be used in the treatment of severe Barrett's esophagus.

PDT uses a light-sensitizing agent and laser to kill precancerous and cancerous cells. The agent is injected into a vein and the patient returns 48 hours later for the procedure. The laser light is passed through the endoscope and activates the agent to destroy Barrett's infected tissue in the esophagus.

EMR involves lifting the Barrett's lining and injecting a solution under it or using suction and cutting off the damaged tissue. The lining is then removed through the endoscope.