[Adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus. A retrospective study of 46 patients followed during 3.5 years].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus and to study the characteristics in these patients.


METHODS
Between January 1988 and June 1997 was diagnosed 46 patients with Barrett's esophagus. In all tem was analyzed the age, the follow-up period, the chief presenting symptoms leading to endoscopy, endoscopy esophagitis and complications of Barrett's esophagus.


RESULTS
The mean age at the time of Barrett's diagnosis was 58 years. The mean follow-up period was 43 months. Presenting symptoms were heartburn in 35 (76%) patients, dysphagia in 3 (6.5%), thoracic pain 3 (6.5%), hemorrhage 2 (4.5%) and others in 3 (6.5%). Endoscopic esophagitis was present in 24 (52%) patients during the follow-up. Complications developed was stricture, ulceration or haemorrhage in 14 (30.4%) patients, two (4.3%) have adenocarcinoma and one dysplasia. Incidence of adenocarcinoma was 1/82 patient-years of follow-up. All three patients with adenocarcinoma or dysplasia was males. Two of the three presented with heartburn and the mean follow-up until development of dysplasia or cancer was 63 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Heartburn and endoscopic esophagitis is frequent in these patients. The risk of development of and adenocarcinoma or others complications is high.
Bujanda Fernández de Piérola
L
L
Servicio de Digestivo, Hospital de San Eloy, Baracaldo, Vizcaya.
Muñoz Villafranca
C
C
Sánchez Martínez
A
A
Iriondo Martínez de Luco
C
C
Aras Portilla
L M
LM
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000368:Aged; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006356:Heartburn / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors