How To Treat Barrett’s Esophagus?
Treatment options for Barrett’s esophagus depends on the severity of dysplasia your doctor detects. Treatment options for this disease include:
No or low-grade dysplasia
If you have no or low-grade dysplasia, your doctor will recommend treatments that can help treat your GERD symptoms. Drugs that help treat GERD such as proton pump inhibitors and H2-receptor antagonists may help treat Barrett’s esophagus. Your doctor may also recommend surgery to help you manage your GERD symptoms. There are two surgeries that are usually done on people with GERD, some of them include:
- Nissen fundoplication: This surgery helps strengthen your lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It involves wrapping the superior portion of your stomach around the exterior part of the LES.
- LINX: This procedure involves inserting the LINX device around the lower part of your esophagus. The LINX device consists of tiny metal beads that use magnetic attraction to prevent the contents of your stomach from leaking into your esophagus.
- Stretta procedure: This procedure is done with an endoscope. Your doctor uses radio waves to strengthen the muscles of the esophagus. This will reduce reflux of the stomach contents.
High grade dysplasia
If you have a high grade dysplasia, your doctor will recommend more invasive procedures to help prevent reflux of food contents. For example, your doctor may recommend removing damaged areas of the esophagus by using endoscopy. In some cases, the whole portion of the esophagus will be removed. Other treatments for high grade dysplasia include:
- Radiofrequency ablation: This procedure involves using an endoscope with a special attachment that releases heat. The heat is known to kill abnormal cells.
- Cryotherapy: This procedure involves using an endoscope that releases cold gas or liquid that freezes the abnormal cells. The cells are then allowed to thaw, and then frozen again. This process is usually repeated until the cells die.
- Photodynamic therapy: In this procedure, your doctor will inject you with a light-sensitive chemical known as profiler (photofrin). An endoscopy will then be scheduled 24 to 72 hours after the injection. During the endoscopy, a laser will activate the chemical and kill the abnormal cells.