Frequently asked questions about Barrett's esophagus.
Study tests new light-activated therapy for early esophageal cancer.
Barrett's esophagus is the most important complication of long-standing acid reflux disease. This acid reflux stimulates changes in the lining of the esophagus, so that it resembles the lining of the intestines. More specifically, Barrett's esophagus is the condition in which the lower esophagus is lined by tissue, called specialized intestinal columnar metaplastic epithelium, that is predisposed to developing adenocarcinoma. Patients with Barrett's esophagus frequently are found to have severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. This observation has led to the widely accepted belief that Barrett's esophagus develops as a result of longstanding reflux esophagitis.