Barrett esophagus is a condition in which the normal squamous lining of the distal esophagus is replaced by metaplastic columnar epithelium of the kind normally found in the intestine and stomach. The change follows chronic exposure of the distal esophagus to gastric acid in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Barrett esophagus causes no complications of its own, but it is the only known precursor of adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus, and that link is what makes it worth recognising and following.
The topic runs from who develops it to how it is found and managed. Barrett Esophagus: Epidemiology and Risk Factors explains which patients are most likely to have it and which factors raise or lower the risk. Barrett Esophagus: Pathogenesis and Carcinogenesis explains how reflux injury turns squamous mucosa into intestinal-type metaplasia and how that metaplasia can progress to adenocarcinoma. Barrett Esophagus: Presentation explains how the condition comes to attention and which symptoms point to a complication rather than to uncomplicated disease. Barrett Esophagus: Diagnosis and Dysplasia explains how the diagnosis is confirmed at endoscopy and biopsy and why grading dysplasia is difficult. Barrett Esophagus: Management and Screening explains how reflux and dysplasia are treated and which patients are offered screening.