Barrett's esophagus develops in 10-20 percent of people with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophagitis. This little-known disease can be dangerous - it is often a condition that precedes the formation of esophageal cancer. The first symptom of the disease may be heartburn - often neglected and considered a daily, not too serious ailment.
Barrett's esophagusis a condition that can develop intoesophageal cancer . First there isheartburn- an unpleasant burning sensation in your esophagus. When heartburn is frequent and regular it can lead to acid reflux and inflammation of the esophagus with the accompanying reflux of food from the stomach. Prolonged inflammation can in turn scar and turn the he althy squamous epithelium lining the esophagus into a degenerated cylindrical epithelium.
Reflux- a dangerous condition with numerous consequences
Refluxmeans the backflow of the stomach into the esophagus. It contains not only food, but also hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. Contrary to the gastric walls resistant to aggressive action of strong acids, the mucosa lining the esophagus is subjected to its caustic action. This is one of the reasons why the regurgitation of gastric contents, apart from the burning sensation, is also accompanied by other unpleasant ailments:
- chest pain radiating to the back, shoulder or neck
- swallowing problems
- bleeding from the esophagus, i.e. coffee grounds.
Reflux disease affects not only the condition of the stomach and esophagus, but also the work of other organs. The regurgitated gastric contents may enter the larynx and bronchial tubes, leading to bronchial asthma, bronchitis and persistent coughing. Some patients also have hoarseness, pharyngitis or laryngitis, and even gingivitis.
Reflux: causes
The causes of gastroesophageal reflux are not fully understood. Doctors suspect that it is caused by abnormalities in the structure of the digestive system (e.g. hiatal hernia), as well as a fast pace of life, poor diet, taking certain medications, obesity, pregnancy, smoking.
Reflux: treatment
Pharmacological methods are used to treat reflux: symptomscan be reduced by the use of antacids or a group of drugs used in the treatment of diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract (proton pump inhibitors).
The symptoms of reflux should not be underestimated. Persistent, repeated bouts of heartburn should prompt you to see a specialist. Specialized endoscopic examinations are also necessary, thanks to which changes in the upper gastrointestinal tract can be assessed. Accurate diagnosis allows you to exclude the existence of dangerous complications of acid reflux.
Barrett's esophagus as a complication of acid reflux
One of the complications of reflux may be the so-calledBarrett's esophagus.We are talking about it when inflammation in the esophagus leads to the formation of scarring and replacement of the normal squamous epithelium with cylindrical epithelium. Barret's esophagus is a precancerous condition - in patients with this disease, the risk of esophageal cancer is several dozen times higher than in he althy people.
Treatment of Barrett's esophagus: Halo method
Non-surgical methods are used to treat Barrett's esophagus. One of the most effective isradio wave ablation( Halosystem). It is an endoscopic therapy that involves photodynamic resection of the mucosa.
How is the Halo procedure performed? A doctor inserts an endoscope into the patient's esophagus to identify Barrett's esophagus tissue. Then he ablates the diseased tissues with electricity. The entire procedure usually takes around 30 minutes. The patient may return home on the same day. Ablation technology has been used in medicine for a long time. It is used to prevent internal bleeding and remove diseased tissue. The Halo system is unique in that it removes precancerous cells without destroying neighboring he althy cells. What distinguishes the Halo system is also the fact that it is possible to control the depth of ablation (the effect of waves on the tissues), so the complication rate is negligible and the method is highly effective. Halo technology can be used in the very advanced stages of Barrett's esophagus and even in the early stages of cancer. Clinical trials conducted in the USA and Europe have proven that 70 percent of one year after surgery, no recurrence of the precancerous state was found. Halo treatments are reimbursed by the National He alth Fund.