If you have a GORD/ GERD diagnosis, you might be aware of your risk of Barrett’s oesophagus. So, what is Barrett’s oesophagus?
Barrett’s oesophagus is a change in the cells lining your oesophagus. Keep reading to learn more about what Barrett’s is and the symptoms of Barrett’s.
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
Barrett’s oesophagus is a condition that affects the lining of the food pipe (oesophagus). It is also referred to as Barrett’s esophagus or just Barrett’s.
Your food pipe carries food from your throat to your stomach. The stomach produces acid which helps to digest food; the stomach is lined with cells resistant to acid. However, the oesophagus (food pipe) is lined by a different type of cells similar to skin cells, therefore it can be damaged by acid.
If you have Barrett’s, something causes the acid in your stomach to rise in your food pipe. We call this acid reflux.
The cells in your food pipe (squamous cells) are usually flat. But, if acid is damaging these cells, they will become column-shaped, mimicking the cells in the stomach to protect your food pipe.
These cell changes usually begin where the stomach meets the oesophagus and spread higher.
People with Barrett’s oesophagus often have GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) first, though some do not. 10% of patients with GORD get Barrett’s. If you have Barrett’s oesophagus without GORD, you have likely been experiencing silent reflux (laryngopharyngeal reflux).
Watch Dr Sami explain what Barrett’s oesophagus is in more detail.
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He also discusses the risk of oesophageal cancer.
Symptoms of Barrett’s oesophagus
Barrett’s oesophagus doesn’t cause symptoms though you may experience symptoms of acid reflux and GORD. We also may find these abnormal cell changes and damage to the food pipe when testing for something else.
People with Barrett’s may experience:
- Frequent heartburn and indigestion – may cause you to wake from sleep
- Difficulty swallowing
- Abdominal pain
- Chronic coughing
- Bad breath
- Bloating and belching
- Regurgitating food (bringing food back up)
- Non-cardiac chest pain (less common)
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Regular or constant sore throat, which may be worse in the morning
If you experience unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, or regurgitation of food, speak to your doctor urgently, as these can be signs of oesophageal cancer. There is a good chance that it isn’t cancer, but it is better to check.
How do we diagnose Barrett’s oesophagus?
Endoscopy
Endoscopy is the most accurate and thorough test to diagnose Barrett’s oesophagus. Other tests are available such as the Cytosponge, but they are less accurate.
During a gastroscopy (upper endoscopy), we look at your throat with a thin, lighted tube that has a camera on its end. We use this to find signs of changes in your food pipe. Read our blog to learn more about the procedure for an endoscopy.
You might find the gastroscopy uncomfortable, but we will use an anaesthetic or sedative to prevent pain. Watch our video to discover whether an upper endoscopy is painful.
The appearance of your oesophagus can indicate Barrett’s, biopsies are taken usually to confirm the diagnosis. A pathologist will look at your tissue sample to determine whether you have Barrett’s and what stage it is.
Once we have the results back, our gastroenterologist will explain your diagnosis and what Barrett’s oesophagus is. They will also discuss the next steps of treatment. Watch our video to understand how long endoscopy biopsy results take.
If we diagnose you with Barrett’s, we will need to perform routine endoscopies to monitor your condition. We can also watch for signs of oesophageal cancer.
Dysplasia
A pathologist specialises in examining tissue. They will specify the grade/stage of your dysplasia (abnormal cell growth).
Barrett’s grades are:
- No dysplasia (Non-dysplastic)
- Indefinite
- Low-grade dysplasia
- High-grade dysplasia
The higher the grade of dysplasia, the more abnormal cells. You are more at risk of developing oesophageal cancer if you have high-grade dysplasia.
Book an appointment
If your doctor suspects that you have Barrett’s, he will refer you to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation.
At Digestive Health UK, we offer private testing, diagnosis, and treatment for Barrett’s oesophagus. Our gastroenterology clinic provides expert care with our patient-first approach to treatment.
Book an appointment today to prioritise your digestive health and discover the cause of your symptoms.
