Barrett's Esophagus

Contents of this Article

Barrett's Esophagus and Cancer of the Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus does not cause symptoms itself and is important only because it seems to precede the development of a particular kind of cancer - esophageal adenocarcinoma.

The risk of developing adenocarcinoma is 30 to 125 times higher in people who have Barrett's esophagus than in people who do not. This type of cancer is increasing rapidly in white men. The increase is possibly related to the rise in obesity and * gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

For people who have Barrett's esophagus, the risk of getting cancer of the esophagus is small: less than 1 percent (0.4 percent to 0.5 percent) per year. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is often not curable, partly because the disease is frequently discovered at a late stage and because treatments are not effective.

Normal Esophagus Metaplasia

Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order

* Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Pronounced - GAH-stroh-eh-SAW-fuh-JEE-ul REE-fluks duh-zeez
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the flow of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus. Happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn't. May cause esophagitis. Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis. More about GERD.

References:
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

Proton Pump Inhibitors

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Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a tool that is used to determine if you are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese, and whether your health is at risk due to your weight.
Body Mass Index Calculator & Chart

GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease - GERD

What is GERD? Causes of GERD Diet for GERD Infant GERD Children 1 - 11 Years Old Medication for GERD Symptoms of GERD GERD Surgery GERD Treatment

Heartburn Information

What is Heartburn? Causes of Heartburn Symptoms of Heartburn Heartburn Medications Heartburn Remedy

Ulcers

What is an Ulcer? Ulcer Causes and Risks Symptoms of Ulcers Treatment of Ulcers Ulcers & NSAIDs

Articles

Can Flatulence Be Controlled? Lump In Throat Proton Pump Inhibitors Remedies for GERD

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