Barrett’s Esophagus is a condition in which the lining at the junction of the esophagus and stomach is replaced with tissue that is similar to intestinal tissue – a process known as “metaplasia.”

The exact prevalence and incidence of Barrett’s Esophagus is unknown but it is estimated that approximately 6-12% of patients with chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) will develop Barrett’s. Factors that additionally increase one’s risk include: Caucasian ethnicity, male gender, obesity, smoking, advanced age, concurrent hiatal hernia and chronic nocturnal GERD. Based on your overall risk Dr. Mantas is able to determine if and the frequency at which you need to be screened for Barrett’s esophagus.

There is some evidence that eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and vitamins and using aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce one’s risk of Barrett’s Esophagus.

Barrett’s Esophagus is important to diagnosis as it increases one’s risk of a deadly form of esophageal cancer known as adenocarcinoma. Barrett’s Esophagus transitions to cancer through a series of changes known as dysplasia. Factors that increase your risk of conversion include long segment Barrett’s Esophagus, a family history of esophageal cancer and younger age of onset. Approximately 0.3-6% of patients with Barrett’s Esophagus will develop esophageal cancer per year. Alarmingly, approximately 95% of patients with esophageal cancer did not know they had preceding Barrett’s Esophagus!