OESOPHAGEAL CONDITIONS
Barrett’s Oesophagus FAQs
From diagnosis to treatment — see our list of frequently asked questions related to Barrett's oesophagus.
About Barrett’s Oesophagus
What is Barrett’s Oesophagus?
Barrett’s oesophagus is a precancerous disease that affects the lining of the oesophagus. It occurs when stomach acids and enzymes re-enter the oesophagus over time and cause the cells to change, also known as intestinal metaplasia.
What are the symptoms?
There are no symptoms specific to Barrett’s oesophagus, other than the typical symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (or GORD). These include heartburn, chest pain, and regurgitation.
Who is at risk?
Patients with GORD are at an increased risk for developing Barrett’s oesophagus. Caucasian males over the age of 50 with chronic reflux symptoms or heartburn are also at risk for the disease.1 Being overweight (body mass index 25-30) increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus by almost two times.2
How common is Barrett's Oesophagus?
Barrett’s oesophagus is estimated to affect approximately 1 million adults in Australia.4
Diagnosis and treatment of Barrett’s Oesophagus
How is Barrett’s Oesophagus diagnosed?
For diagnosis, a physician performs an endoscopy — a procedure that allows for inspection and tissue sampling of the oesophagus.
Are treatment options available?
Yes, treatments including endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are available. EMR involves surgically removing the top layer of affected tissue. RFA has been shown to reduce disease progression by removing precancerous tissue (called dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus) from the oesophagus with precise depth control. One study showed that patients who undergo this treatment may reduce the risk of their disease progressing from confirmed low-grade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia and oesophageal cancer by over 90%.3
What happens if Barrett’s Oesophagus goes untreated?
In one study, 8.8% of the patients with Barrett’s oesophagus and confirmed low-grade dysplasia developed oesophageal cancer, which may require removal of all or part of the oesophagus.3
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) as treatment for Barrett’s Oesophagus
What is RFA?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat as a proactive treatment for patients diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus who are under surveillance but want to reduce their risk of progression to oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
What does RFA do?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat to remove precancerous tissue damaged by Barrett’s oesophagus while preserving the underlying healthy tissue.
What can I expect on the day of procedure?
Ablation therapy is performed in conjunction with an upper endoscopy. The treatment is performed after the patient is sedated in an outpatient setting and no incisions are involved. While procedure time in clinical studies averaged 30 minutes, the actual time can vary depending on the physician’s experience and the difficulty of the case. You will be monitored after the procedure is complete.
