Barrett’s Esophagus Treatment in Port Huron
Chronic heartburn can be annoying, but more than that, it can also increase your likelihood of developing a more serious disease called Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is the primary risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).1-2 That’s why early diagnosis and treatment is so important.
If you or a loved one suffer from chronic heartburn or from gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), it’s important to understand that these conditions can progress to something more serious, such as Barrett’s ophagus.
Dr. McFarlane is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and provides comprehensive care for individuals with chronic heartburn. If you experiencnig symptoms of Barrett’s Esophagus and are seeking treatment, contact Hope Surgical to discuss Barrx – Barrett’s Esophagus treatment with Dr. McFarlane. To schedule a consultation at our surgery center in Port Huron, MI, please call (810) 662-0400 or request an appointment through our secure online form. Hope Surgical, PLLC is conveniently located for patients in Marysville, St. Clair County, and Port Huron Charter Township, call today.
What is Barrett’s esophagus?
Barrett’s esophagus is a change that occurs within the cellular lining of the esophagus — the swallowing tube that carries foods and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. It is a pre-cancerous condition that is caused by chronic backwash of stomach contents, such as acids and enzymes.1
It’s more common than you may think: About 12 million American adults have Barrett’s esophagus, but only 1.5 million have been diagnosed.3
What are the symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus?
People with Barrett’s esophagus may not have any symptoms, but if you have the following, it may indicate a need for further testing:4
- Chronic heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea
- Chest pain
Who is at risk?
Factors that may put you at risk for Barrett’s esophagus include: obesity, Caucasian ethnicity, family history of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer, and being male.2 Up to 26.5 percent of people with chronic GERD may develop Barrett’s esophagus in their lifetime.5
It’s important to note that when diagnosis and treatment are delayed, chronic GERD can increase the risk for Barrett’s esophagus.5
How is Barrett’s esophagus diagnosed?
We will want to visualize your esophagus first. We do this using an endoscope, in which a small flexible tube with a light at the end (the endoscope) is passed through the mouth and into the esophagus. This tube has a camera that allows us to look at the lining of the esophagus.
During the endoscopy, if we see any abnormalities, we may take a sample of the tissue to confirm the diagnosis and determine severity.
Schedule a Consultation for Barrett’s Esophagus Treatment in Port Huron
For more information on GERD and Barrett’s Esophagus, contact Hope Surgical to discuss your symptoms and the treatment available. To schedule your consultation at our general surgery center in Port Huron, MI, please call (810) 662-0400 or request an appointment though our secure online form. Dr. McFarlane will take the time to fully evaluate your condition and determine the treatment that best fits you and your lifestyle.
References
1. Gilbert EW, Luna RA, Harrison VL, Hunter JG. Barrett’s esophagus: a review of the literature. J Gastrointest Surg. 2011;15:708-18.
2. Spechler SJ, Souza RF. Barrett’s esophagus. NEJM. 2014;371:836-45.
3. Dymedex Market Development Consulting, GERD Sizing and Segmentation for pH Testing, February 13 2015.
4. Shaheen NJ, Richter JE. Barrett’s oesophagus. Lancet. 2009;373(9666):850-61.
5. Dymedex Market Development Consulting, GERD Sizing and Segmentation for pH Testing. February 13, 2015.
6. Spechler S. et al. Barrett’s Esophagus. N Engl J Med 2014; 371:836-45.
7. Orman et al. Efficacy and Durability of RFA for BE: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2013;11:1245-1255.
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Risk Information: The following are transient side effects that may be expected after treatment: chest pain, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, throat pain and/or fever. Complications observed at a very low frequency include: mucosal laceration, minor and major acute bleeding, stricture, perforation, cardiac arrhythmia, pleural effusion, aspiration, and infection. Potential complications that have not been observed include: death. Please refer to the product user manual or medtronic.com/gi for detailed information.