Barrett's esophagus:Acomplicationof severechronicGERD (gastrointestinalrefluxdisease) involving changesinthe cells of thetissuethat line the bottom of theesophagus. Theseesophagealcells become irritated when the contents of thestomachback up (refluxes) and there is a small but definite increased risk ofadenocarcinoma(cancer) of the esophagus. Thediagnosisof Barrett's esophagus rests upon seeing (through endoscopy) a pink esophageal lining (mucosa) that extends a short distance (usually less than 2.5 inches) up the esophagus from thegastroesophageal junctionand finding intestinal type cells (goblet cells) onbiopsyof the lining. Treatment is, in general, essentially the same as forGERDboth medically (with acid-suppression drugs) and surgically (with fundoplication).
Named after Norman Rupert Barrett (1903-1979), an eminentthoracic外科医生born in Australia who studied medicine and practiced in Britain.
