WASHINGTON, D.C. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It starts off as heartburn but can
turn into something much more serious. Three-point-three million people in the
United States have Barrett's esophagus, a condition that can lead to cancer.
Doctors are using a tool that burns away dangerous cells and lowers the cancer
risk.
If someone breaks it, there's a good chance John Davies can fix it. The former
Royal Australian Air Force wing commander spent 29 years working on planes -- a
high stress job that took a toll on his health.
"It just would last just about all night, just terrible pain," Davies told
Ivanhoe.
That stomach pain came from Davies' long battle with heartburn and acid reflux
disease. It turned into a more serious problem called Barrett's esophagus. The
stomach acid causes cells that line the esophagus to change, putting Davies at a
40 percent higher risk of developing cancer.
"You really get scared, which I was," Davies said.
Davies had two procedures to cut out the Barrett's, but it returned. Doctors
then turned to a radiofrequency treatment to burn off the pre-cancerous cells.
"Essentially, [you are] using thermal energy to go ahead and damage the tissue
and destroy the cells," John Carroll, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine in
the Division of Gastroenterology at Georgetown University Hospital in
Washington, D.C., told Ivanhoe.
An endoscope with a tiny balloon or probe at the tip goes into the esophagus. It
delivers radiofrequency energy through heat coils, destroying the thin layer of
tissue where the problem cells live.
"It burns off the superficial layer but doesn't go deeper," Dr. Carroll said.
"The esophagus heals remarkably quickly."
In traditional surgery, doctors remove a portion of the esophagus and reconnect
it to the stomach. It keeps patients in the hospital for three weeks, and eating
can be a challenge. The new radiofrequency treatment is an outpatient procedure
that takes about 30 minutes. People can eat the next day.
"It's like the weight of the world had come off your shoulders, thinking at one
point you're going go through this major surgery," Davies said.
Davies has regular check-ups to monitor his esophagus.
"I expect the best," he said. "I don't expect to see it again hopefully in the
rest of my life."
A handyman who is grateful doctors found a way to fix him up without surgery.
In one study, 74 percent of people had no evidence of Barrett's esophagus in
their biopsies after the radiofrequency treatment. Patients will typically take
medication after the procedure to prevent acid reflux from returning.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Office of John Carroll, M.D.
Georgetown University Hospital
(202) 444-6649
