Newly diagnosed with Barrettes Esophagus.

[Pvancourt]

Hi, I've attached the results of my Endoscopy. The reason for the Endoscopy was heartburn and uncomfortable feeling in jaw and neck feeling like I'm having a heart attack. Apparently it is acid reflux. My Mom is concerned about waiting 3 years for another Endoscopy. Should I be concerned too? I'd love to get some advice from those who have the same issue??

[AGood]

Hi there. I have Barrett's. I was diagnosed with it 12 years ago. I had biopsies taken yearly for the first few years bad now I am every 3. I think there is a kind of grading of severity done during the biopsy and the "call back" is done accordingly. This is my understanding. I'm presuming you are now taking a daily PPI ? Omoprozol or lansoprozol or similar ? If you are, it is important to follow the instructions for these tablets and all should be well.

I hope this helps. Best wishes to you.

[Saverio]

I would not wait 3 years,My husband had cancer stage 3 went through chemo,radiation and 9 hours of surgery,was told he was cancer free,then after 4 months was told cancer came back more aggressively,we were devastated and my husband passed after 2 weeks in hospital.

We have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren who miss him so much,

Its only been 3 weeks since we put him to rest but its such a loss in our family.

He was my best friend and we were married 45 years.

[Hidden]

There is a system for the management of Barrett's Oesophagus and a repeat endoscopy at three years is absolutely standard practice that has been carefully thought out. There are more details on actionagainstheartburn.org.uk

The risk of your developing cancer when there is no dysplasia is very low. Barrett's oesophagus is not cancer. Someone aged 30 years with newly developed Barrett's Oesophagus may have between 12 and 25% chance of developing adenocarcinoma by the age of 80 years. More people die with it than from it. But the risk does increase if low grade dysplasia is found, and if there is high grade dysplasia there is something like 50% chance of cancer in the following 8 years. If there is dysplasia, this can be treated with radio frequency ablation which can remove the threat if cancer completely.

So, well done for having an endoscopy when you have been suffering persistent heatburn. The issue now is to try and get a diagnosis on why you have so much reflux and to deal with that side of things. Meanwhile, medication can reduce the pain and discomfort.

I hope that this is some reassurance.