How is barrett's esophagus typically treated?

Anti reflux Rx: Be is a complication of chronic reflux; may be painless. Cells in lower esophagus look like intestinal cells, would be ok if they weren't esoph. Cells; less resistant to chemical onslaught. Pre-cancerous. 1% of barrett's pts. May develop adeno (gland) ca of esoph. Rx with aggressive med rx, ppi twice a day, and follow up endoscopy to check for "dysplasia"-more cancer-like; can remove by scope.

Depends: Barrett's esophagus is a continuum from mild atypia to highly abnormal or precancerous. If you have barrett's changes at 29, it is most likley from reflux and an antireflux procedure may be necessary to control the irritation to the lower esophagus. You need to be followed closely by a gastroenterologist.

Barrett's.: This is a change in the esophagus in response to longstanding reflux. It is a precancerous change which requires frequent surveillance EGDs to make sure cancer is not developing. If Barrett's is found, the abnormal areas can be ablated so that they do not progress to cancer.