Barrett’s Esophagus Center of Excellence

Early stage esophageal cancer refers to lesions confined to the mucosa, as opposed to lesions that invade through the submucosa into the muscularis propria. Commonly referred to Stage 1 disease.

A condition in which acid-containing contents in your stomach persistently leak back up into your esophagus. This can happen when a valve at the end of your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter, doesn’t close properly when food arrives at your stomach. Symptoms can include regurgitation, pain in the chest or heartburn, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, food stuck in your throat, dry cough or bad breath. GERD isn’t life-threatening or dangerous in itself, however long term GERD can lead to more serious health problems such as esophagitis, strictures (abnormal narrowing) of the esophagus, Barrett’s or esophageal cancer.  GERD is usually controlled with medications and lifestyle changes. If these don’t work, or if you can’t take medications for an extended period, surgery may be a solution.

Barrett’s esophagus is when the normal cells that line your esophagus turn into a different type of cell due to damage in the lining of the esophagus. The new, abnormal cells are called specialized columnar cells, or Barrett’s Esophagus. Having Barrett’s Esophagus raises your risk of getting esophageal cancer.

An esophageal stricture is an abnormal tightening or narrowing of the esophagus.

GAVE is a condition in which the blood vessels in the lining of the stomach become fragile and become prone to rupture and bleeding.  The stomach lining exhibits the characteristic stripes of a watermelon when viewed by endoscopy.