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What Is Barrett's Esophagus?
Question: Hi Doctor: I spoke with another MD regarding my husband who has been diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus. We are stilll waiting for pathology results. I forgot to mention that the Barrett's is short segment not sure what this means. My husband has had this acid reflux for several years like over 20 and never had an endoscopy priior to this current one. He has a hx of alcoholism but has been sober now for 10 years. I am so concerned of this being cancer?
Brief Answer:
not cancer but can turn to cancer
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The term a short segment means that a short part (segment) of the esophagus is showing changes related to barretts.
Not the entire esophagus or a long portion of the esophagus, only a short portion (less than 3 cm).
Barretts esophagus is diagnosed when the normal lining of the esophagus is changed into a different type.
It is thought to occur after continued or prolonged exposure of the esophagus to reflux.
Barretts itself is not cancer but there is a risk of it turning to cancer.
The risk however is small.
If the biopsy does not show any initial changes to cancer (initial changes called dysplasia) ,then the risk is 0.5% a year. This means 1 person out of 200 a year.
Treatment consists mainly of the reflux diet, surveillance (endoscopy and biopsy annually) .
If the biopsy shows any initial changes then additional therapy may be suggested.
Summary: (1) short segment means that the length of the esophagus showing changes is short
(2)barretts esophagus is not cancer but there is a small risk of progression to cancer
I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions
not cancer but can turn to cancer
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The term a short segment means that a short part (segment) of the esophagus is showing changes related to barretts.
Not the entire esophagus or a long portion of the esophagus, only a short portion (less than 3 cm).
Barretts esophagus is diagnosed when the normal lining of the esophagus is changed into a different type.
It is thought to occur after continued or prolonged exposure of the esophagus to reflux.
Barretts itself is not cancer but there is a risk of it turning to cancer.
The risk however is small.
If the biopsy does not show any initial changes to cancer (initial changes called dysplasia) ,then the risk is 0.5% a year. This means 1 person out of 200 a year.
Treatment consists mainly of the reflux diet, surveillance (endoscopy and biopsy annually) .
If the biopsy shows any initial changes then additional therapy may be suggested.
Summary: (1) short segment means that the length of the esophagus showing changes is short
(2)barretts esophagus is not cancer but there is a small risk of progression to cancer
I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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