It is possible that the main title of the report Barrett Esophagus is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
- Barrett metaplasia
- Barrett ulcer
- columnar-lined esophagus
Barrett esophagus is a condition in which the cells that make up of the tissue of the lower end of the esophagus are abnormal. The esophagus is the thin tube that connects the back of the throat to the stomach. Chronic inflammation and ulceration of the lower end of the esophagus eventually causes the cells normally found there to be replaced by cells normally found in the intestines (intestinal metaplasia). Since most patients with Barrett esophagus have acid reflux disease, they suffer from heartburn and/or acid regurgitation; Barrett esophagus does not cause any specific symptoms. The disorder is considered a premalignant condition and affected individuals are at an increased risk (although their overall risk remains low), of developing cancer (adenocarcinoma), of the esophagus. Barrett esophagus usually occurs more often in individuals with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), a condition characterized by backflow (regurgitation), of the contents of stomach into the esophagus. The exact reason these tissue changes occur in Barrett esophagus is unknown.
Digestive Disease National Coalition
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NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
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International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
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Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
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Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 55071 #15530
Boston, MA 02205-5071