The risk of malignancy is highest in the U.S. in Caucasian men > 50 years of age with > 5 years of symptoms. It is unusual for African-American men to develop adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, the cancer associated with Barrett's.
Current recommendations include routine endoscopy and biopsy (looking for dysplastic changes). If two endoscopies and biopsy sessions performed within 12 months are negative for dysplasia then surveillance can be performed every 3 years while the underlying reflux is controlled with proton pump inhibitor drugs in combination with measures to prevent reflux.
For patients found to have low grade or high grade dysplasia close observation and repeat endoscopy and biopsies are indicated and the patient should be followed closely by a gastroenterologist.
Proton pump inhibitor drugs have not yet been proven to prevent esophageal cancer. Laser treatment is used in severe dysplasia, while overt malignancy may require surgery, radiation therapy, or systemic chemotherapy.
Additionally, a recent 5-year random-controlled trial has shown that photodynamic therapy using photofrin is statistically more effective in eliminating dysplastic growth areas than sole use of a proton pump inhibitor.
There is presently no reliable way to determine which patients with Barrett's esophagus will go on to develop esophageal cancer, although a recent study found that the detection of three different genetic abnormalities were associated with as much as a 79% chance of developing cancer in 6 years.
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has also been evaluated as a management technique.
Additionally an operation known as a Nissen fundoplication can reduce the reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus.
In a variety of studies, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like aspirin, have shown evidence of preventing esophageal cancer in Barrett's esophagus patients.
However, none of these studies have been randomized, placebo controlled trials, which are considered the gold standard for evaluating a medical intervention. In addition, the best dose of NSAIDs for cancer prevention is not yet known.
Further Reading
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