Barrett’s Oesophagus

What is Barrett’s Oesophagus?

The oesophagus (gullet) is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach and is made up of a particular type of cell called squamous cells. In Barrett’s Oesophagus, these cells will have changed into columnar cells similar to those found in your stomach.

What causes Barrett’s Oesophagus?

The cause of this is generally thought to be due to acid from your stomach refluxing, or spilling back up into your oesophagus. Prolonged contact of this stomach acid on to your oesophagus can make it sore and inflamed and this may lead to Barrett’s Oesophagus.

Barrett’s Oesophagus is more common in men than women and also more common in overweight people. Smoking has also been shown to speed up changes to Barrett’s Oesophagus.

What are the symptoms?

Barrett’s Oesophagus often has no symptoms. However, most people with Barrett’s Oesophagus will have been examined because of symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux such as heartburn or a salty taste in the back of the throat called water brash.

How is Barrett’s Oesophagus diagnosed?

Barrett’s Oesophagus is diagnosed by a test called a gastroscopy. During the gastroscopy a small sample of the lining of your gullet would have been taken and will have confirmed your diagnosis.

For more information on what happens during a gastroscopy see the Trust’s Gastroscopy leaflet available from a member of staff or through the Trust website.

For many patients with Barrett’s Oesophagus, surveillance gastroscopies are recommended.

These can range from every six months to every five years and are where biopsies (tissue specimens) are taken from the Barrett’s Oesophagus to make sure there are no pre-cancerous cells which may need treatment.

What if my condition is left untreated?

Barrett’s Oesophagus can lead to several complications including ulceration, bleeding, and narrowing of the gullet leading to difficulty in swallowing. A very small percentage of Barrett’s Oesophagus may go on to develop into cancer.

If there are any complications from Barrett’s Oesophagus, there are various treatments that may help.

What treatment options are available?

Treatment options may include the following.

• Drugs can suppress the production of acid in your stomach. This will lessen the amount of acid available to reflux into your gullet.

• Lifestyle changes which may help to reduce your symptoms include:

  • losing weight if necessary

  • eating smaller meals at regular intervals

  • avoiding a full meal before lying down or going to bed; and

  • avoiding tight clothing around the waist and bending or stooping.

• Some patients may benefit from surgery to reduce the reflux.

If you have been diagnosed with Barrett’s Oesophagus you will discuss the options available to you with your consultant or nurse endoscopist before any treatment begins.

Any further questions?

Please phone the Endoscopy Unit. The units are open Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm.

• William Harvey Hospital, Ashford.
  Telephone: 01233 616274

• Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury.
  Telephone: 01227 783058

• Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate.
  Telephone: 01843 234370

If you have any questions between 6pm and 8am Monday to Sunday then contact the Emergency Department on:

• William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
  Telephone: 01233 616207

• Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate
  Telephone: 01843 235030

Our units are regularly inspected and audited; please ask if you want any information about our performance standards. You can also visit Care Opinion.