Barrett's Oesophagus - MRCS - FRCS - Medicine Exam

Barrett’s Oesophagus – an important topic, particularly for those preparing for their FRCS exams I’m your host, Major Munish Chauhan, and I am a General Surgery Registrar in the British Army and Oxford deanery. I am also a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Army Leadership

Barrett's oesophagus is a precancerous condition where the lining of the lower oesophagus changes, primarily due to long-term gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

This change, called intestinal metaplasia, increases the risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis involves endoscopy and biopsies, with severity graded by dysplasia. Treatment options range from medication and endoscopic therapies (such as radiofrequency ablation) to surgery (esophagectomy), depending on the stage and severity of the condition. Regular surveillance is crucial for early detection and management, improving prognosis and reducing mortality. Risk factors include male gender, age, obesity, and smoking.