Barrett’s Esophagus

Barrett’s Esophagus services offered in Denton, TX

Barrett's esophagus, a problem that develops when gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) goes untreated, raises your risk of developing esophageal cancer. Board-certified gastroenterologist Abhinandan Raj, MD, specializes in treating Barrett's esophagus at Denton Digestive Institute PLLC. Dr. Raj uses radiofrequency ablation to eliminate the damaged esophageal tissues and restore your health. If you have frequent heartburn, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Call the office in Denton, Texas, or book online today.

Barrett’s Esophagus Q & A

What is Barrett's esophagus?

Barrett's esophagus refers to a condition that occurs when stomach acid damages the cells lining the lower part of your esophagus (the tube connecting your throat and stomach).

The problem occurs when you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). You may be diagnosed with GERD if you have acid reflux once or twice every week.

As acid regularly comes out of the stomach and into the esophagus, it continuously irritates and damages the cells. As a result, they go from being normal, healthy esophageal cells to abnormal cells resembling those lining your intestine.

Over time, these abnormal cells increase your risk of developing a type of esophageal cancer called esophageal adenocarcinoma.

What symptoms indicate I may have Barrett's esophagus?

Barrett's esophagus usually doesn't cause symptoms. Instead, your symptoms come from acid reflux. You may experience:

Heartburn (at least twice weekly)
Sore throat
Hoarseness
Dry cough
Regurgitation
Painful or difficult swallowing
Dental erosion
A sensation of a lump in your throat

After cancer develops, you may also have symptoms such as vomiting, blood in your stool, and weight loss without trying.

How is Barrett's esophagus diagnosed?

Dr. Raj diagnoses Barrett's esophagus by performing an upper endoscopy. During the procedure, he guides a thin tube (endoscope) through your mouth and throat and down your esophagus.

The scope holds a camera and light, allowing him to examine the tissues lining your esophagus. After using tools passed through the scope to take tissue biopsies, the samples are examined under a microscope to identify cellular changes.

How is Barrett's esophagus treated?

You may have low-grade or high-grade Barrett’s esophagus. Low-grade dysplasia has more normal than abnormal cells. High-grade dysplasia means you have significant cellular changes and a higher risk for cancer.

In both cases, Dr. Raj treats your GERD. If you have low-grade dysplasia with few abnormalities, he may monitor your esophagus with frequent upper endoscopies before treating the dysplasia.

If you have high-grade dysplasia, the dysplastic cells must be removed to prevent cancer. Dr. Raj treats Barrett’s esophagus using radiofrequency ablation.

During the procedure, he guides an endoscope into your esophagus. After the scope is in place, he passes radiofrequency energy through specialized electrodes, precisely targeting the abnormal tissues.

Radiofrequency energy heats and destroys the dysplastic cells. After they slough off, new, normal esophageal tissues grow in to replace them.

If you have heartburn and other symptoms of Barrett's esophagus, call Denton Digestive Institute PLLC, or book an appointment online today.