Barrett's oesophagus
Barrett's is the change long‑standing reflux can cause in the lining of the oesophagus. Most people with it will never develop cancer — but it deserves expert surveillance, because caught early, pre‑cancerous change is curable endoscopically.
What Barrett's oesophagus is
Years of acid exposure can cause the normal lining of the lower oesophagus to change into a more stomach‑like lining. This change — Barrett's oesophagus — is itself harmless and causes no symptoms, but carries a small risk of progressing, over years, towards oesophageal cancer. The purpose of surveillance is to find any progression at a stage when it can be treated through the endoscope, without surgery.
Why expertise matters here
Detecting early change in Barrett's is genuinely difficult — it depends on careful, unhurried, high‑quality endoscopy with systematic biopsies. This is Dr Zeki's academic home ground: his PhD examined the genomics of oesophageal cancer and its precursors, and his ongoing research focuses on Barrett's surveillance quality.
Surveillance with Dr Zeki
- High‑definition gastroscopy in JAG‑accredited units with structured Seattle‑protocol biopsies
- Surveillance intervals set to British Society of Gastroenterology guidance and explained clearly
- Reflux control reviewed at each visit — often with objective pH testing rather than assumption
If dysplasia or early cancer is found
Pre‑cancerous change (dysplasia) and the earliest cancers can usually be treated endoscopically — by endoscopic mucosal resection or dissection of visible lesions and radiofrequency ablation of the remaining Barrett's segment. Dr Zeki performs endoscopic resection and works within a specialist multidisciplinary team, so treatment decisions are never made single‑handed.
Seeing Dr Zeki
Consultations take place on Tuesdays at HCA UK at The Shard, with testing and endoscopy at London Bridge Hospital — usually within days. Call 020 3301 4916 or email Dr Zeki's secretary to book. Fees and insurers.