Barrett's Oesophagus

Question 1

Who suffers from Barrett’s Oesophagus?

Answer 1

Mainly sufferers of GERD (10% of GERD sufferers develop Barrett’s, male, caucasian, family history

Question 2

Pathophysiology of Barrett’s Oesophagus

Answer 2

Metaplasia (change from squamous cells to columnar cells), dysplasia (cells change to abnormal forms), increased risk of adenocarcinoma, increased risk of oesophageal cancer (3-13%)

Question 3

Symptoms of Barrett’s Oesophagus

Answer 3

Frequent heartburn & regurgitation, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), chest pain (rare)

Question 4

Diagnosis of Barrett’s Oesophagus

Answer 4

Biopsy , oesophagogastrodudenoscopy

Question 5

Treatment of Barrett’s Oesophagus

Answer 5

Daily PPI’s (proton pump inhibitors), therapy to destroy dysplasia