Barrett's esophagus (sometimes called Barrett's syndrome, CELLO - columnar epithelium lined lower (o)esophagus or colloquially as Barrett's) refers to an abnormal change (metaplasia) in the cells of the lower end of the esophagus thought to be caused by damage from chronic acid exposure, or reflux esophagitis. Barrett's esophagus is found in about 10% of patients who seek medical care for heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux). It is considered to be a premalignant condition and is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
The condition is named after Dr. Norman Barrett (1903–1979), Australian-born British surgeon at St Thomas' Hospital, who described the condition in 1957.
Current recommendations include routine endoscopy and biopsy (looking for dysplastic changes) every 12 months or so while the underlying reflux is controlled with proton pump inhibitor drugs in combination with measures to prevent reflux. In severe dysplasia, laser treatment is being used, whereas overt malignancy may require surgery, radiation therapy, or systemic chemotherapy. There is presently no reliable way to determine which patients with Barrett's esophagus will go on to develop esophageal cancer. Endoscopic mucosal resection has also been evaluated for "Barrett's" management.
Additionally an operation known as a Nissen fundoplication can reduce the reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus is marked by the presence of columnar cell epithelium in the lower esophagus, replacing the normal squamous cell epithelium—an example of metaplasia. The columnar epithelium is better able to withstand the erosive action of the gastric secretions; however, this metaplasia confers an increased cancer risk of the adenocarcinoma type.
The metaplastic columnar cells may be of two types: gastric (similar to those in the stomach) or colonic (similar to cells in the intestines). A biopsy of the affected area will often contain a mixture of the two. Colonic-type metaplasia confers a higher risk of malignancy.
The metaplasia of Barrett's esophagus is visible grossly through a gastroscope, but biopsy specimens must be examined under a microscope to determine whether cells are gastric or colonic in nature
2006-10-02 07:13:04
·
answer #1
·
answered by Anonymous
·
4⤊
0⤋
Barrett's esophagus (sometimes called Barrett's syndrome, CELLO - columnar epithelium lined lower (o)esophagus or colloquially as Barrett's) refers to an abnormal change (metaplasia) in the cells of the lower end of the esophagus thought to be caused by damage from chronic acid exposure, or reflux esophagitis. Barrett's esophagus is found in about 10% of patients who seek medical care for heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux). It is considered to be a premalignant condition and is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
The condition is named after Dr. Norman Barrett (1903–1979), Australian-born British surgeon at St Thomas' Hospital, who described the condition in 1957.
2006-10-02 07:13:37
·
answer #2
·
answered by dani 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
AKA Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett's esophagus is a condition that develops in some people who have chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis). In Barrett's esophagus, the normal cells that line the esophagus, called squamous cells, turn into a type of cell not usually found in humans, called specialized columnar cells. Damage to the lining of the esophagus - for example, by acid reflux from GERD - causes these abnormal changes.
2006-10-02 07:14:58
·
answer #3
·
answered by Jessica H 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
"Barrett's esophagus (sometimes called Barrett's syndrome, CELLO - columnar epithelium lined lower (o)esophagus or colloquially as Barrett's) refers to an abnormal change (metaplasia) in the cells of the lower end of the esophagus thought to be caused by damage from chronic acid exposure, or reflux esophagitis."
Find more info at the source page. Hope this helps.
2006-10-02 07:14:12
·
answer #4
·
answered by CrimsonStar 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Barrett's esophagus (sometimes called Barrett's syndrome, CELLO - columnar epithelium lined lower (o)esophagus or colloquially as Barrett's) refers to an abnormal change (metaplasia) in the cells of the lower end of the esophagus thought to be caused by damage from chronic acid exposure, or reflux esophagitis. Barrett's esophagus is found in about 10% of patients who seek medical care for heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux). It is considered to be a premalignant condition and is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett%27s_Disease
2006-10-02 07:12:37
·
answer #5
·
answered by silent_paws 2
·
1⤊
1⤋
Barrett's esophagitis? This is when your esophaguis has become worn with acid from reflux. It is a pre-cancerous condition and must be treated with anti-reflux medication and anit-reflux measures.
2006-10-02 07:13:53
·
answer #6
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
OK, in layman's terms: It's a pre-cancerous, thickening condition of the esophagus caused by prolonged, untreated exposure to stomach acid.
2006-10-05 18:44:21
·
answer #7
·
answered by John Quest 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Gatroesophogeal reflux disease associated with changes to the esophogeal mucosa to gastric mucosa.
2006-10-02 07:53:27
·
answer #8
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
a case of bad hairbows?
2006-10-02 07:12:15
·
answer #9
·
answered by day dreamin baby 5
·
0⤊
1⤋