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Barrett’s Esophagus Therapies- Pros and Cons

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Progression to adenocarcinoma (Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal cancer) is not universal, suggesting that an intensive surveillance program may be sufficient for some patients…

If you’ve been diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus, with high-grade dysplasia you have several challenges to consider. First and foremost you may be concerned that your BE may develop into esophageal cancer. Secondly, according to the first article linked below, esophagectomy, surgical removal of the BE, can have serious complications. PDT and RFA may be options for your considerations.

I am a cancer survivor and cancer coach. My role is to research evidence-based therapies for people in your situation in order to help you think through the best options for your goals. My perspective is that of a cancer survivor, not an oncologist. I consider both conventional (FDA approved) and evidence-based non-conventional therapies.

If you have been diagnosed with GERD, BE or EC, please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

To Learn About Pre-Myeloma (SPB, MGUS, MGCS, SMM), diagnostics, symptoms and therapies- click now

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

To Learn More about Barrett’s Esophagus, read the posts below-


Barrett’s esophagus: Treatment with photodynamic therapy

“The management of patients with Barrett’s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia is controversial. Those who are good operative candidates have traditionally been offered surgical resection because of the high risk that adenocarcinoma is already present or will soon develop [1-4]. On the other hand, progression to adenocarcinoma is not universal, suggesting that an intensive surveillance program may be sufficient for some patients. Furthermore, esophagectomy is associated with significant short- and long-term morbidity and a 3 to 13 percent rate of surgical mortality depending in part upon the surgical expertise and hospital volume

An alternative approach is based upon the observation that the destruction of intestinal metaplasia using a variety of chemical and thermal methods may be accompanied by regrowth of normal-appearing squamous epithelium, particularly if the patients are treated with proton pump inhibitors to keep them achlorhydric. Of the many endoscopic techniques that are capable of ablating columnar mucosa containing high-grade dysplasia, photodynamic therapy has attracted attention due to its novel approach and early success [5-10]…”

The role of photodynamic therapy in the esophagus.

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a drug and device therapy using photosensitizer drugs activated by laser light for mucosal ablation. Porfimer sodium PDT has been used extensively with proven long-term efficacy and durability for the ablation of Barrett esophagus and high-grade dysplasia. and early esophageal adenocarcinoma.

However, continued use is hampered by an associated stricture risk and prolonged photosensitivity (4-6 weeks). Promising single-center European studies using other forms of PDT, such as aminolevulinic acid PDT, have not been replicated elsewhere, limiting the widespread use of other forms of PDT. Future use of PDT in esophageal disease depends on the development of improved dosimetry and patient selection to optimize treatment outcomes while minimizing adverse events and complications.”

Curcumin: A Potent Protectant against Esophageal and Gastric Disorders

“Turmeric obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa has been used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases since the ancient times. Curcumin is the principal polyphenol isolated from turmeric, which exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antitumor, and antimetastatic activities.

The existing evidence indicates that curcumin can exert a wide range of beneficial pleiotropic properties in the gastrointestinal tract, such as protection against reflux esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and gastric mucosal damage induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and necrotizing agents.

The role of curcumin as an adjuvant in the treatment of a Helicobacter pylori infection in experimental animals and humans has recently been proposed. The evidence that this turmeric derivative inhibits the invasion and proliferation of gastric cancer cells is encouraging and warrants further experimental and clinical studies with newer formulations to support the inclusion of curcumin in cancer therapy regimens.

This review was designed to analyze the existing data from in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies in order to highlight the mechanisms of therapeutic efficacy of curcumin in the protection and ulcer healing of the upper gastrointestinal tract, with a major focus on addressing the protection of the esophagus and stomach by this emerging compound…”

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8 comments
Black Raspberries- Barrett's Esophagus? - PeopleBeatingCancer says a couple of months ago

[…] To Learn More about Barrett’s Esophagus- click now […]

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Barrett's Esophagus- W/, Without Dysplasia- Non-Toxic Therapy - PeopleBeatingCancer says a couple of months ago

[…] To Learn More about Barrett’s Esophagus- click now […]

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Barrett's Esophagus Becomes Esophageal Cancer - PeopleBeatingCancer says a couple of months ago

[…] To Learn More about Barrett’s Esophagus- click now […]

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Heal Barrett's Esophagus Conventionally and Non-Conventionally says a couple of months ago

[…] To Learn More about Barrett’s Esophagus- click now […]

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Barrett's Esophagus- Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment - PeopleBeatingCancer says a couple of months ago

[…] To Learn More about Barrett’s Esophagus- click now […]

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Barrett's Esophagus- what are my options? - PeopleBeatingCancer says a couple of months ago

[…] To Learn More about Barrett’s Esophagus- click now […]

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Corte Johnson says 5 years ago

i recently went to a urgent care and they said it’s been a possibility i have GERD.. i’m 19 i’m healthy blood good, heart is great, no high blood pressure, i been feeling a tightness for almost a week now off and on, lately i been eating healthy and taking zantac 150 and tums.. will GERD ever go away or heal?

Reply
    David Emerson says 5 years ago

    Hi Corte-

    To answer your question, yes, GERD can heal. But you have to make a bit of an effort. Nothing major. In fact, you are already taking several of the steps discussed in the article linked below with diet, Zantac, and Tums.

    If you would like to learn more about evidence-based but non-conventional therapies to heal GERD, I can do this for you. An example would be curcumin supplementation. Further, I will make specific dietary suggestions.

    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment & Management

    Your call.

    Thanks,

    David Emerson

    Reply
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