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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Barrett's Esophagus?
Question: Good Afternoon,
29 year old male...a bit overweight...I have had GERD for about 10 years...I had an upper gi endoscopy 5 years ago which was normal, just a little scarring...the doctor is making me do another endoscopy next week to screen for barrett's esophagus...if I had a normal one 5 years ago, is there a big chance of having barrett's? And if I do have Barrett's, how soon could I get cancer? I've read that barrett's has a long incubation period before becoming cancer, but I've also read that you have a 1% chance each year? Would my risk be lower than an older persons who also has barrett's?
29 year old male...a bit overweight...I have had GERD for about 10 years...I had an upper gi endoscopy 5 years ago which was normal, just a little scarring...the doctor is making me do another endoscopy next week to screen for barrett's esophagus...if I had a normal one 5 years ago, is there a big chance of having barrett's? And if I do have Barrett's, how soon could I get cancer? I've read that barrett's has a long incubation period before becoming cancer, but I've also read that you have a 1% chance each year? Would my risk be lower than an older persons who also has barrett's?
Brief Answer:
Please follow....
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank your for asking!
I read carefully all your concerns and I understood your queries.
1.You are reporting to have done upper endoscopy 5 years ago and it was normal. You have been under PPI treatment during these years.
This is why you have a very low chance to get Barret's esophagus.
2.Barret's esophagus need a long time more than 15-20 years to become cancer.
Otherwise in recent days patients with Barrettes can be treated with surgery or upper endoscopy techniques. So the chances of getting cancer are really low.
3. With regards to the risk of having barrettes, yes you have a lower risk than older patients. It is unusually to get barrettes esophagus at your age .
Wishing you all the best!
Dr.Klerida
Please follow....
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank your for asking!
I read carefully all your concerns and I understood your queries.
1.You are reporting to have done upper endoscopy 5 years ago and it was normal. You have been under PPI treatment during these years.
This is why you have a very low chance to get Barret's esophagus.
2.Barret's esophagus need a long time more than 15-20 years to become cancer.
Otherwise in recent days patients with Barrettes can be treated with surgery or upper endoscopy techniques. So the chances of getting cancer are really low.
3. With regards to the risk of having barrettes, yes you have a lower risk than older patients. It is unusually to get barrettes esophagus at your age .
Wishing you all the best!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answers...if Barrett's needs 15 to 20 years to turn to cancer, why do they report an annual risk of 1%? Is it because people who get esophageal cancer have had barretts for a while unknowingly, and cancer only happens to people who have had barrett's for a while? So if I have Barrett's, I can rest assured that it would take a long time for it to become cancerous and it can be treated?
Brief Answer:
Please follow the suggestions below
Detailed Answer:
Hi back and sorry for my late.
If you will be diagnosed with Barrets esophagus than you will be treated with endoscopic eradication of esophageal mucose plus PPI's drugs.
It will significantly decrease the risk for cancer.
With regards to annual riks of 1%, it is hightly influenced by other factors like heredity, treatment, age, diet and lifestyle.Another importan factor is grade of mucosa displasy. The risk for cancer is high in high grade displasia.
So the risk is different in different situations.
It is important to know that if you treat correctly GERD and Barrets than the risk for esophageal cancer will be very lower.
Wish you all the best!
Dr.Klerida
Please follow the suggestions below
Detailed Answer:
Hi back and sorry for my late.
If you will be diagnosed with Barrets esophagus than you will be treated with endoscopic eradication of esophageal mucose plus PPI's drugs.
It will significantly decrease the risk for cancer.
With regards to annual riks of 1%, it is hightly influenced by other factors like heredity, treatment, age, diet and lifestyle.Another importan factor is grade of mucosa displasy. The risk for cancer is high in high grade displasia.
So the risk is different in different situations.
It is important to know that if you treat correctly GERD and Barrets than the risk for esophageal cancer will be very lower.
Wish you all the best!
Dr.Klerida
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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