Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food and saliva from the mouth to the stomach, changes so that some of its lining is replaced by a type of tissue similar to that normally found in the intestine. This process is called intestinal metaplasia.

While Barrett’s esophagus may cause no symptoms itself, a small number of people with this condition develop a relatively rare but often deadly type of cancer of the esophagus called esophageal adenocarcinoma..

Barrett’s esophagus is estimated to affect about 700,000 adults in the United States. It is associated with the very common condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Barrett’s esophagus is diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy.

People who have Barrett’s esophagus should have periodic esophageal examinations.

Taking acid blocking drugs for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may result in improvements in Barrett’s esophagus.

Removal of the esophagus is recommended only for people who have a high risk of developing cancer or who already have it.

Hope Through Research

Many important questions about Barrett’s esophagus need further research to:

• Find better ways to identify people who have the problem.
• Find out what causes it.
• Test treatments that may prevent or eliminate it.
• Find better treatments for people who have Barrett’s esophagus with cancer.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Cancer Institute sponsor research programs to investigate Barrett’s esophagus.

For More Information About Barrett’s Esophagus
For more information about Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Barrett’s esophagus, contact:

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) Inc.
P.O. Box 170864
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Phone: 1-888-964-2001 or (414) 964-1799
Fax: (414) 964-7176
Email: iffgd@iffgd.org
Internet: www.iffgd.org

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
National Institutes of Health
31 Center Drive
Building 31, Room 10A-19
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: (301) 496-6641
Fax: (301) 496-0846
Internet: www.nci.nih.gov

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: digestive.niddk.nih.gov

Source: digestive.niddk.nih.gov – July 2008