The Patient Support Network of Barrett's Oesophagus Foundation
Diagnosis and Treatment
How is Barrett's oesophagus diagnosed?
The standard method of diagnosis is by endoscopy (camera examination of the gullet and stomach) and biopsy (a small sample of tissue is taken and then examined under the microscope - pictured below).
What is the treatment?
Treatment is aimed at reducing reflux, controlling symptoms and preventing complications.
General lifestyle measures
Patients are advised to reduce reflux by:
- Raising the head of the bed, if heartburn is worse at night, and avoiding large, late meals
- Losing weight if too heavy
- Avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol intake
- Reducing fatty foods, chocolate and caffeine
- Avoiding spicy foods or citrus fruits as these can aggravate inflammation in the gullet
Medical treatment
Patients with Barrett's oesophagus are generally treated with lifelong acid lowering tablets; these are called proton pump inhibitors.
Common brands include Zoton (lansoprazole), Losec (omeprazole), Protium (pantoprazole) and Pariet (rabeprazole). These tablets control symptoms of heartburn and should stop acid from causing inflammation. The exact dose may vary and the brands may be changed or doses increased until symptoms are controlled. These tablets are very safe in the long term and have few side effects. The commonest side effect is diarrhoea, which can usually be avoided by changing to another brand. Sometimes an additional medication such as Zantac (ranitidine) may be added when symptoms occur at night.
Surgical treatment
Surgeons may recommend surgical treatment of reflux by strengthening the weakened valve at the lower end of the gullet. this is because many patients with Barrett's oesophagus have very severe reflux and reflux bile as well as acid, which is less easily controlled by tablets. Furthermore, it offers total reflux control and avoids the need for long term medication. However, surgery is not recommended for all cases as there are occasional side effects.
Endoscopic treatment
There are now some techniques available to deliver laser energy or photodynamic therapy to the abnormal Barrett's lining. However, these are at present experimental as their value has not been proved. Urgent research is needed to determine the best treatment of Barrett's oesophagus so as to decrease the risk of development of cancer.
Ongoing monitoring
Once Barrett's oesophagus has been diagnosed and regular acid lowering tablets have been started, a repeat endoscopy and tissue sampling is performed at regular intervals to monitor this condition. This is usually repeated every one to three years, but the exact timing of these checkups depends on each individual case.
- Site Map
- Terms & Conditions
- HON Code
- Contact Barrett's
- Contact Probe
- Website Credits
- Send this page to a friend
The Barrett's Oesophagus Foundation - Charity No. 1077633
