High risk of malignancy in familial Barrett's esophagus: presentation of one family.
Barrett's esophagus is an acquired condition fundamentally related to the presence of severe and prolonged pathologic acid and biliary gastro-esophageal reflux. However, genetic factors may also play a role in some cases. The aim of this study is to present 3 generations of a Spanish family with the largest number of members so far reported with Barrett's esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma. Of the 24 members of this family studied over 3 generations, 6 patients developed esophageal adenocarcinoma, 4 Barrett's esophagus, 6 clinical symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease without Barrett's esophagus, and 8 were asymptomatic. In conclusion, patients with familial Barrett's esophagus get the disease more severely with a high rate of malignancy and, therefore, the endoscopic surveillance should be closer than in cases of nonfamilial Barrett's esophagus.
Munitiz
Vicente
V
Department of Surgery, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain. vmunitiz@yahoo.es
Parrilla
Pascual
P
Ortiz
Angeles
A
Martinez-de-Haro
Luisa F
LF
Yelamos
Jose
J
Molina
Joaquin
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D012306:Risk; D013030:Spain