Expert Treatment for Digestive Conditionsn

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract problems can cause many symptoms — from difficulty swallowing, excessive coughing, heartburn, chest pain and sore throat to bloating, nausea and abdominal pain. Endoscopic mucosal ablation, a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove GI tract growths or blockages, can address these challenges by restoring proper digestive function in the esophagus and colon.

Endoscopic mucosal ablation removes damaged esophageal or colon tissue without the need for open surgery. Endoscopic mucosal ablation can help treat GI conditions including Barrett’s esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pre-cancerous digestive tract lesions. For certain patients, treatment can help reduce the risk of developing esophageal cancer or other GI tract cancers.

What Is Barrett’s Esophagus?

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition marked by abnormal cells in the lower esophagus, the tube that moves food from the throat to the stomach. While there are no symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus, people with the condition often also have GERD and experience heartburn, indigestion and difficulty swallowing.

Endoscopic Mucosal Ablation and Cancer Prevention

Our providers can use endoscopic mucosal ablation to remove polyps or other abnormal blockages within the esophagus or colon. Eliminating GI tract growths and irregularities early can help reduce patients’ long-term risk of developing cancer at these sites.

Patients with Barrett’s esophagus and other GI tract concerns may have a slightly higher risk of developing digestive tract cancers than patients without these conditions. GI tract cancers include esophageal cancer and intramucosal early gastric cancer, an early form of cancer that has not spread beyond the innermost layers of the colon or rectum.

Patients with digestive tract abnormalities should schedule regular GI tract screenings to check for signs of precancerous cells or other cancer warning signs.