What Is Barrett's Esophagus?
Reviewed: Dr. Mera
10. Prognosis
The morbidity rate is significant when the condition leads to the development of adenocarcinoma in the esophagus. Although most patients with Barrett’s esophagus do not progress to develop esophageal cancer, the risk of progressions is about 0.5% per year in those without dysplasia.
However, the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is rapidly rising. For example, from 1926 to 1976, only about 0.8% to 3.7% of esophageal cancers were reported to be adenocarcinomas. This increased rapidly to 54% to 68% from 1979 to 1992. Patients with long segment Barrett’s esophagus have the highest risk for dysplasia and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.
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