Once the metaplastic cells have replaced the normal ones, the patient frequently feels less discomfort since the metaplastic areas seem to be less sensitive than the normal tissue. As a matter of fact, patients with Barrett's esophagus have a 30-125 fold higher risk of developing cancer of the esophagus than the general population. Importantly, with proper testing, doctors can detect these cancers early, before they have spread. There are precancerous stages that the metaplastic tissue goes through before the development of cancer, and these precancerous stages are classified as dysplasia. A number of genetic abnormalities have been discovered in this precancerous state.
Dysplasia is detected by performing endoscopic biopsies from the esophagus.