Acid Reflux Tied to Cancer, New Treatment

The website Ivanhoe is reporting that Coral Springs Medical Center is working with patients who have Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's is a pre-cancerous condition when the lining of the esophagus is changed. It is not in and of itself cancer but it is a precursor.

Approximately 60 million people in the US suffer from acid reflux. About 10% of those will develop Barrett's esophagus. If Barrett's is left untreated it can lead to cancer. The most common "treatment" was to wait and see if cancer developed and than remove the esophagus. The gastrology dept has found a new treatment that is much less invasive and more humane.

The procedure involves inserting a tube down the patient's throat. Once the tube is in place a balloon is inflated. Energy is travels down into the esophagus and the top layer (damaged) layer is burned away. New tissue is exposed and the esophagus is allowed the opportunity to grow healthy tissue.

Read about my experience with acid reflux.