About
Dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus is a condition when the cells of
'normal' Barrett's oesophagus develop further abnormal changes.
Sometimes these changes can be seen at endoscopy (see figures 1 and
2 below), but sometimes they are only found once small samples
(biopsies) are taken from the gullet. These changes are called
dysplasia and may be described as 'pre-cancerous'. Dysplasia may be
graded as low or high grade to describe the severity of the
changes. Dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus is not cancer. However,
the risk of developing cancer is much higher than in 'normal'
Barrett's. Because the risk of cancer is higher, the team will try
to remove these abnormal cells using various treatments which are
described on the treatment page, here.
Information about 'normal' Barrett's oesophagus is available here.
Figure 1. Barrett's with abnormal dysplastic-looking area.
Source: UHBW NHS Foundation Trust.
Figure 2. Dysplastic-looking area marked. Source: UHBW NHS
Foundation Trust.
Symptoms
Like 'normal' Barrett's oesophagus, dysplastic Barrett's
oesophagus does not cause symptoms. One of the main factors causing
Barrett's oesophagus is the reflux of acid from the stomach into
the oesophagus. In some people, acid reflux does not cause
significant symptoms. In some people, however, reflux can cause a
burning sensation in the lower chest or upper abdomen, difficulty
swallowing, or the regurgitation of acid or food into the throat.
These symptoms are common in people with Barrett's oesophagus.
However, they are caused by the acid going back up into the
oesophagus, rather than the change in cells in the oesophagus.
