You should know that successful treatment of the acid reflux does not cure the Barrett's. Even if symptoms are well controlled, the cancer risk remains and periodic scope examinations must be continued. Usually these are done every one to two years. Biopsies taken during the scope test are sent for microscopic analysis by a trained doctor called a pathologist. The main thing we ask the pathologist to look for are changes of dysplasia.
Dysplasia is a precancerous change which usually occurs before cancer ever develops.
It can be thought of as an early warning signal and is often classified as low grade, moderate, or severe dysplasia . Low grade dysplasia is seen most often and is less cause for concern. In this instance, reflux must be controlled and surveillance may need to be more frequent but there is no need for radical change in therapy. Over time, dysplasia may progress from low grade, to moderate, to high grade, then sometimes to cancer. If moderate or severe dysplasia is found, you will need to be rescoped at more frequent intervals and additional biopsies obtained.