Barrett's Esophagus

Overview

Each year, thousands of people come to Mayo Clinic for diagnosis and treatment of Barrett's esophagus. Mayo Clinic doctors are internationally known for their expertise in this condition and for their commitment to ongoing and supportive patient care. Mayo's comprehensive approach includes state-of-the-art evaluations, programs to reduce acid reflux — the main risk factor for Barrett's — and minimally invasive treatments that prevent disease progression and the development of cancer.

Drs. Romero, Wang and Deschamps discuss treatment of Barrett's esophagus.

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Diagnosis

One of the key factors in evaluating Barrett's esophagus is careful monitoring for dysplasia — subtle changes in the cells lining the esophagus sometimes lead to cancer. Mayo Clinic physicians use genetic tests and advanced optical and endoscopic imaging techniques to detect abnormal changes in the earliest, most treatable stages. Many of these technologies were pioneered by Mayo Clinic and are not widely available at most endoscopy centers in the United States. Read more about Barrett's esophagus diagnosis.

Treatment

Just five years ago, surgery to remove most or all of the esophagus (esophagectomy) was the only effective treatment for people with advanced Barrett's esophagus or early esophageal cancer (cancer that has not become invasive or spread beyond the esophagus). Now, Mayo Clinic offers an array of nonsurgical treatment options, including thermal therapy, balloon catheter and focal radiofrequency ablation, photodynamic therapy, liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide cryotherapy and endoscopic mucosal resection. For many patients, these treatments can completely eliminate disease without the need for surgery. Read more about Barrett's esophagus treatment.

Research

Mayo Clinic has an active research program for Barrett's esophagus, including a Barrett's family registry. The registry is a collaborative effort of physicians from all three Mayo campuses and across multiple disciplines. With the help of information submitted by patients and their families, researchers hope to gain a greater understanding of the genetic basis of Barrett's esophagus as well as find a genetic blood test that can easily screen for the disease.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked No. 1 in Digestive Disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.