daw
09-06-2003, 12:55 AM
Information at: http://www.medicinenet.com/Barretts_Esophagus/article.htm
Barrett’s Esophagus
Medical Author: Wilfred M. Weinstein, M.D.
Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, M.D., Ph.D.
* What is Barrett’s esophagus?
* Why is there so much interest in Barrett’s esophagus?
* What causes Barrett’s esophagus?
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Is stomach acid the only trigger to the development of Barrett’s esophagus?
* Who develops Barrett’s esophagus?
* What is the specific abnormality in the inner lining (epithelium) of Barrett’s esophagus?
- Intestinal metaplasia
- Intestinal metaplasia of the Z line (gastroesophageal junction) without visible Barrett’s
* What type of cancer may complicate Barrett’s esophagus?
- Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
- What is the connection with cancer of the gastroesophageal junction (cardia)?
- Why are cases of Barrett’s-associated cancer and cancer of the cardia increasing?
* What is dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus?
- What are the implications of dysplasia for cancer risk?
- What are biomarkers?
* What is the risk of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in Barrett’s?
* What are the symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus?
* How is GERD treated, with or without Barrett’s esophagus?
- Medical (non-surgical) therapy
- Surgical treatment of GERD, with or without Barrett’s esophagus
* Why is it important to screen patients with GERD to diagnose Barrett’s esophagus?
* Why is it critical to be accurate in the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus?
* What does endoscopic biopsy surveillance in Barrett’s esophagus involve?
- Periodic random biopsies
- Are there better ways to diagnose dysplasia than random biopsies?
* How is high grade dysplasia managed?
- Esophagectomy
- Follow-up biopsy surveillance, and esophagectomy ONLY if cancer is found
* How are low grade dysplasia and indefinite dysplasia managed?
* What are the experimental approaches for treatment of high grade dysplasia?
- Ablation therapy
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
- Other methods of ablation
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)
- Chemoprevention with drugs
* What experimental options are there for Barrett’s esophagus WITHOUT dysplasia?
* What does the future hold for Barrett’s esophagus?
* Barrett’s Esophagus At A Glance
Barrett’s Esophagus
Medical Author: Wilfred M. Weinstein, M.D.
Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, M.D., Ph.D.
* What is Barrett’s esophagus?
* Why is there so much interest in Barrett’s esophagus?
* What causes Barrett’s esophagus?
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Is stomach acid the only trigger to the development of Barrett’s esophagus?
* Who develops Barrett’s esophagus?
* What is the specific abnormality in the inner lining (epithelium) of Barrett’s esophagus?
- Intestinal metaplasia
- Intestinal metaplasia of the Z line (gastroesophageal junction) without visible Barrett’s
* What type of cancer may complicate Barrett’s esophagus?
- Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
- What is the connection with cancer of the gastroesophageal junction (cardia)?
- Why are cases of Barrett’s-associated cancer and cancer of the cardia increasing?
* What is dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus?
- What are the implications of dysplasia for cancer risk?
- What are biomarkers?
* What is the risk of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in Barrett’s?
* What are the symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus?
* How is GERD treated, with or without Barrett’s esophagus?
- Medical (non-surgical) therapy
- Surgical treatment of GERD, with or without Barrett’s esophagus
* Why is it important to screen patients with GERD to diagnose Barrett’s esophagus?
* Why is it critical to be accurate in the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus?
* What does endoscopic biopsy surveillance in Barrett’s esophagus involve?
- Periodic random biopsies
- Are there better ways to diagnose dysplasia than random biopsies?
* How is high grade dysplasia managed?
- Esophagectomy
- Follow-up biopsy surveillance, and esophagectomy ONLY if cancer is found
* How are low grade dysplasia and indefinite dysplasia managed?
* What are the experimental approaches for treatment of high grade dysplasia?
- Ablation therapy
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
- Other methods of ablation
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)
- Chemoprevention with drugs
* What experimental options are there for Barrett’s esophagus WITHOUT dysplasia?
* What does the future hold for Barrett’s esophagus?
* Barrett’s Esophagus At A Glance