Barrett’s esophagus, also known as Barrett’s disease, is a consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. Barrett’s esophagus is a precursor for esophageal cancer in affected patients. Though a Barrett’s diagnosis can be frightening, a skilled gastroenterologist like Dr. Berookim can offer effective treatment to protect your esophageal health. Dr. Berookim serves as the co-director of the Barrett’s Center for Excellence at La Peer Health Systems. If you’ve been diagnosed with Barrett’s disease, of if you think you could be at risk, don’t hesitate to visit the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California for a consultation.
What is Barrett’s Esophagus?
Barrett’s esophagus is a disorder of the esophageal lining that can lead to esophageal cancer. Continuous exposure to stomach acid can cause the cells in the lower esophagus to become damaged, changing the architecture of the cells and increasing an individual’s risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Studies have shown that people with Barrett’s disease are 50-80 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than the general population. If you suffer from GERD, it’s important that you make an appointment with a skilled gastroenterologist like Dr. Berookim to be tested for Barrett’s and to get on the right track to esophageal health.
Barrett’s Disease Risk Factors
Do you suffer from chronic heartburn or acid reflux? Do you smoke or have a family history of esophageal cancer? If so, you are at a greater risk for developing Barrett’s disease, or Barrett’s esophagus. The risk of getting Barrett’s esophagus increases with age, though it can occur at any time in a patient’s life. Caucasians have a higher risk of developing the disease than people of other races, and men are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed than women!
Though patients with Barrett’s often demonstrate few symptoms, anyone who is experiencing trouble swallowing food, chest pain or pain in the upper part of the abdomen should be tested for the disease. Dr. Berookim will preform an upper endoscopy to check the esophageal tissue for signs of change. It is important to remember that people with Barrett’s disease are often asymptomatic, and anyone with GERD or a family history of Barrett’s should not hesitate to be tested.
Treatment: Radio-frequency Ablation in Southern California
Today, those affected by Barrett’s disease have new options when it comes to treating the condition and preventing further damage to the esophagus. In the past, there were very few treatments available for Barrett’s esophagus. Doctors would tell patients to “wait and see” while they monitored patients’ conditions. Now, patients have access to a revolutionary therapy called radio-frequency ablation (HALO System).
During the procedure, Dr. Berookim will utilize the HALO System’s endoscopic radio-frequency ablation therapy to destroy the pre-cancerous esophageal lining. Once the unhealthy tissue has been eliminated, new healthy tissue can grow back in its place. Performed on an outpatient basis in Beverly Hills, the procedure takes only 30 minutes. Experts believe that endoscopic radiofrequency ablation therapy can prevent patients from developing a fast-growing form of cancer called esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Contact Expert Gastroenterologist Dr. Berookim
Dr. Berookim is the co-director of the Barrett’s Center for Excellence at La Peer Health Systems. Thanks to new technologies like, radio-frequency ablation, some forms of esophageal cancer are far more preventable, so if you are at risk, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment with Dr. Berookim. Call (310) 271-1122 or request an appointment today.