What are the possible treatments of Barrett?s esophagus?

Posted by Logintohealth on November 5th, 2018

Is treatment for a person having no dysplasia is same as having low-grade dysplasia?

The treatment of Barrett’s esophagus will be done differently for different type of tissue damage. It can be treated with the help of medication, some procedures, and the surgery as well. But the disease may reoccur so it is important to undergo regular checkup even after the removal of the disease.

Barrett’s esophagus is related to cancer of the esophagus. It is important to treat Barrett’s esophagus in time. It can be diagnosed with various techniques including the endoscopy and screening test. One, the disease is identified, it is important to look for the treatments. The treatment of Barrett’s esophagus will depend on the degree of change. This can be easily determined with the help of pathologists.

Treatments:

Treatment will depend on the extent of the growth of the abnormal cell. Since these cells can be classified into three types based on the extent of change, the treatment will be different for the different category.

1. No Dysplasia: In this condition, the oncologist will most likely to recommend the following –

• Periodic endoscopy – If the removed tissue (biopsies) from the esophagus shos no dysplasia. The doctor will advise you to follow up the endoscopy in one year and then after every three years if there is no change in all the three years.
  
  
• Treat the GERD – Doctor will advise you some medications. But apart from medications, changing the lifestyle will also be helpful in treating the GERD. Surgery is also an option. The surgery will tighten the sphincter and hence, improving the problem. Treating GERD is not about treating Barrett’s esophagus. It will also not decrease the risk of esophageal cancer. It can help in making the detection of Dysplacia easier.

2. Low-Grade Dysplasia: If you have found out the low-grade dysplasia, then it is important to confirm it with an experienced pathologist. If you are found with low-grade dysplasia, the doctor will advise you to undergo the endoscopy after every six months.  The preferred treatments to treat the low-grade dysplasia is –

• Endoscopic Resection – It is a surgery in which the damaged cells will be removed with the help of an endoscope and hence the name endoscopic resection.
  
  
• Radiofrequency ablation – This procedure makes the use of heat to remove the abnormal esophagus tissue. The procedure may also be recommended after the endoscopic resection.

If the significant inflammation of the esophagus is found in the earlier month. Then the doctor may recommend you to undergo the endoscopy after three to four months. Then the medications will be given to reduce the acid and stomach inflammation.

3. High-Grade Dysplasia: It is generally regarded as the precursor to esophageal cancer. Because of this, the doctor may advise you to go under the endoscopic resection or the radiofrequency ablation. The other important treatments of high-grade dysplasia are –

• Cryotherapy – In this method, an endoscope is used to apply the cold liquid or gas on the abnormal cells. The cells will then be allowed to warm up and then they will be cooled down again to get frozen. This cycle of warming and freezing will destroy and damage the abnormal cells.
  
  
• Photodynamic therapy – In this procedure, a direct beam of light is focused on the abnormal cells. This technique kills the abnormal cells by using light rays and making them photosensitive.
  
  
• Surgery  - In this procedure, the part containing the abnormal cells in the esophagus will be removed. The remaining part will then be attached to the stomach. This will prevent the chances of esophageal cancer.

There are chances that Barrett’s esophagus may reoccur after the treatment. So, it is important to go for endoscopy from time to time to avoid the reoccurrence of the problem.