Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Barrett’s esophagus does not usually cause any symptoms, but it may be associated with upper abdominal discomfort. The condition is concerning because it can be a precursor of esophageal cancer.
This article discusses Barrett’s esophagus and its symptoms and causes. It also goes over how this condition might affect your risk of cancer and your overall life expectancy.
Symptoms of Barrett’s Esophagus
The esophageal lining changes that define Barrett’s esophagus rarely present with any symptoms. Anything you do experience is likely owed to the persistent GERD that caused your condition in the first place.
Symptoms of GERD include:
When you have Barrett’s esophagus, you are most likely to experience symptoms within an hour of eating. Once they begin, they can last for several hours. The symptoms associated with Barrett’s esophagus are generally worse if you lie down shortly after eating.
Spicy foods, caffeine, fried foods, and high-fat foods can exacerbate your symptoms.
LumiNola / Getty Images
Barrett’s Esophagus Complications
The most worrisome aspect of Barrett’s esophagus is that it is a risk factor for developingesophageal cancer. Specifically, adenocarcinoma of the lower esophagus can develop due to Barrett’s esophagus.
What Causes Barrett’s Esophagus?
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscle that separates your esophagus from your stomach. The LES can become weakened due to factors such as smoking or a hiatal hernia, and it is commonly weakened in GERD. A weak lower esophageal sphincter allows stomach acid to flow into the esophagus when it would normally be kept out.
It’s exposure to this caustic fluid that causes damage to the lower esophageal lining, actually changing the tissue permanently.
With Barrett’s esophagus, the lower esophagus begins to develop a type of lining that is described as columnar epithelium. This lining is typical of the intestines, but not the esophagus.
Barrett’s esophagus is more common among men than women, and there are several lifestyle risk factors associated with the condition. Additionally, you may be at higher risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus if it runs in your family.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the leading risk factor for Barrett’s esophagus, but there are other notable ones to be aware of:
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
How Barrett’s Esophagus Is Diagnosed
A diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus usually relies on several steps. The first will be anesophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD), which can visualize the columnar epithelium in the lower esophagus.
Depending on what your healthcare provider observes, additional testing may be necessary to make a diagnosis, identify complications, and/or help guide your treatment plan.
If you have risk factors for developing serious gastrointestinal problems, an endoscopy may be recommended as a screening test for Barrett’s esophagus and other conditions—even if you do not have any symptoms.
Endoscopy
An endoscopy is an interventional procedure. During this procedure, you will have a tube with an attached camera placed down your throat. You will need medication to help you relax and prevent you from gagging during this test.
During your endoscopy, your healthcare provider will be able to see whether or not you have developed columnar epithelial cells at the distal (bottom) portion of your esophagus. These cellular changes cause the color and appearance of your lower esophagus to change.
If there are concerning changes seen in your esophagus during your endoscopy, you may have a biopsy during the procedure or you may need another appointment to have this done.
Biopsy
During a biopsy your medical team will surgically remove a small sample of tissue from your esophagus. This is typically done with endoscopic guidance and delivery of pain medication.
The sample collected is then viewed under a microscope to check for the presence of columnar epithelium. Additionally, your medical team will evaluate your biopsy sample to see if you have signs of dysplasia. This is a type of abnormal cellular change that is associated with precancerous features.
If the cells of Barrett’s esophagus appear as normal columnar epithelium, this would not be described as dysplasia. But if they start to look like dysfunctional cells, they would be described as showing features of dysplasia.
What Having Precancerous Cells Means
Associated Diagnostic Tests
Depending on your symptoms and the results of your preliminary tests, you may need additional testing.
This may include the following:
There areseveral strategiesthat can help manage the condition and prevent it from worsening.
Lifestyle Management
Weight loss and smoking cessation can help prevent Barrett’s esophagus from worsening.
Medications
Several over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can reduce the acidity of the fluid in your lower esophagus. Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following to help relieve symptoms of heartburn and protect the lining of your lower esophagus:
Procedures and Surgery
With Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia, or cancer, you may need to have a resection (removal) of the cells in your lower esophagus. There are several options for removing esophageal tissue. The right procedure for you depends on the location, extent, and type of changes you have in your esophagus.
You may need to have a surgical procedure with general anesthesia, or you might have a minimally invasive procedure in which your healthcare provider uses endoscopic guidance to remove altered esophageal tissue.
Sometimes, the cells can be destroyed rather than removed. Your medical team may opt to use:
The procedures listed above, other than surgery, do have some limitations. Specifically, the cells destroyed via PDT, RFA, or cryotherapy are not able to be examined microscopically, so one can not be sure of the nature of the cancer and whether it has been fully removed with a good margin.
Treatments for Barrett’s Esophagus
Barrett’s Esophagus Prognosis
Barrett’s esophagus increases the lifetime risk of esophageal cancer 10 to 55 times compared to the general population.However, since the risk of esophageal cancer in the general population is already very low, your chances of developing esophageal cancer are still low even with the increased risk.
In fact, the condition progresses to cancer in less than 1% of cases.Most people with Barrett’s esophagus have the same life expectancy as people without the condition.
Still, if you do have Barrett’s esophagus, it is important that the condition is identified early so it can be monitored. If it does progress, early treatment can improve your prognosis.
Summary
Barrett’s esophagus is an uncommon condition involving changes in the internal lining of the esophagus. It is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Barrett’s esophagus doesn’t usually have any symptoms, however, having GERD puts you at risk for developing it. Because Barrett’s esophagus is considered a risk factor for cancer, it is important that your medical team identifies it at an early stage and that you continue to maintain close monitoring if you have it.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of Barrett’s esophagus.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for Barrett’s esophagus.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD.National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.Shakhatreh MH, Duan Z, Avila N, et al.Risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease after a negative screening endoscopy.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Feb;13(2):280-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.06.029.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Barrett’s esophagus.Spechler SJ.Patient education: Barrett’s esophagus (beyond the basics). In: Talley NJ, Grover S, eds.UpToDate. UpToDate, 2024.di Pietro M, Chan D, Fitzgerald RC, Wang KK.Screening for Barrett’s esophagus.Gastroenterology. 2015;148(5):912-293. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.02.012Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.How we diagnose esophageal cancer.Qumseya BJ, David W, Wolfsen HC.Photodynamic therapy for Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal carcinoma.Clin Endosc. 2013 Jan;46(1):30-7. doi: 10.5946/ce.2013.46.1.30Johns Hopkins Medicine.Should we burn Barrett’s esophagus? Or should we freeze it?Cook MB, Coburn SB, Lam JR, Taylor PR, Schneider JL, Corley DA.Cancer incidence and mortality risks in a large US Barrett’s oesophagus cohort.Gut. 2018;67(3):418-529. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312223Brock A, Huang S.Precision oncology: Between vaguely right and Precisely wrong.Cancer Res. 2017;77(23):6473-6479. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-17-0448Additional ReadingSnider EJ, Compres G, Freedberg DE, Khiabanian H, Nobel YR, Stump S et al.Alterations to the esophageal microbiome associated with progression from Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-0008
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of Barrett’s esophagus.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for Barrett’s esophagus.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD.National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.Shakhatreh MH, Duan Z, Avila N, et al.Risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease after a negative screening endoscopy.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Feb;13(2):280-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.06.029.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Barrett’s esophagus.Spechler SJ.Patient education: Barrett’s esophagus (beyond the basics). In: Talley NJ, Grover S, eds.UpToDate. UpToDate, 2024.di Pietro M, Chan D, Fitzgerald RC, Wang KK.Screening for Barrett’s esophagus.Gastroenterology. 2015;148(5):912-293. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.02.012Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.How we diagnose esophageal cancer.Qumseya BJ, David W, Wolfsen HC.Photodynamic therapy for Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal carcinoma.Clin Endosc. 2013 Jan;46(1):30-7. doi: 10.5946/ce.2013.46.1.30Johns Hopkins Medicine.Should we burn Barrett’s esophagus? Or should we freeze it?Cook MB, Coburn SB, Lam JR, Taylor PR, Schneider JL, Corley DA.Cancer incidence and mortality risks in a large US Barrett’s oesophagus cohort.Gut. 2018;67(3):418-529. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312223Brock A, Huang S.Precision oncology: Between vaguely right and Precisely wrong.Cancer Res. 2017;77(23):6473-6479. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-17-0448Additional ReadingSnider EJ, Compres G, Freedberg DE, Khiabanian H, Nobel YR, Stump S et al.Alterations to the esophageal microbiome associated with progression from Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-0008
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of Barrett’s esophagus.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for Barrett’s esophagus.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD.National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.Shakhatreh MH, Duan Z, Avila N, et al.Risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease after a negative screening endoscopy.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Feb;13(2):280-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.06.029.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Barrett’s esophagus.Spechler SJ.Patient education: Barrett’s esophagus (beyond the basics). In: Talley NJ, Grover S, eds.UpToDate. UpToDate, 2024.di Pietro M, Chan D, Fitzgerald RC, Wang KK.Screening for Barrett’s esophagus.Gastroenterology. 2015;148(5):912-293. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.02.012Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.How we diagnose esophageal cancer.Qumseya BJ, David W, Wolfsen HC.Photodynamic therapy for Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal carcinoma.Clin Endosc. 2013 Jan;46(1):30-7. doi: 10.5946/ce.2013.46.1.30Johns Hopkins Medicine.Should we burn Barrett’s esophagus? Or should we freeze it?Cook MB, Coburn SB, Lam JR, Taylor PR, Schneider JL, Corley DA.Cancer incidence and mortality risks in a large US Barrett’s oesophagus cohort.Gut. 2018;67(3):418-529. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312223Brock A, Huang S.Precision oncology: Between vaguely right and Precisely wrong.Cancer Res. 2017;77(23):6473-6479. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-17-0448
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of Barrett’s esophagus.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for Barrett’s esophagus.
National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD.
National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.
Shakhatreh MH, Duan Z, Avila N, et al.Risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease after a negative screening endoscopy.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Feb;13(2):280-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.06.029.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Barrett’s esophagus.
Spechler SJ.Patient education: Barrett’s esophagus (beyond the basics). In: Talley NJ, Grover S, eds.UpToDate. UpToDate, 2024.
di Pietro M, Chan D, Fitzgerald RC, Wang KK.Screening for Barrett’s esophagus.Gastroenterology. 2015;148(5):912-293. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.02.012
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.How we diagnose esophageal cancer.
Qumseya BJ, David W, Wolfsen HC.Photodynamic therapy for Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal carcinoma.Clin Endosc. 2013 Jan;46(1):30-7. doi: 10.5946/ce.2013.46.1.30
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Should we burn Barrett’s esophagus? Or should we freeze it?
Cook MB, Coburn SB, Lam JR, Taylor PR, Schneider JL, Corley DA.Cancer incidence and mortality risks in a large US Barrett’s oesophagus cohort.Gut. 2018;67(3):418-529. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312223
Brock A, Huang S.Precision oncology: Between vaguely right and Precisely wrong.Cancer Res. 2017;77(23):6473-6479. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-17-0448
Snider EJ, Compres G, Freedberg DE, Khiabanian H, Nobel YR, Stump S et al.Alterations to the esophageal microbiome associated with progression from Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-0008
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
