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Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which there is an abnormal (metaplastic) change in the mucosal cells lining the lower portion of the esophagus, from stratified squamous epithelium to simple columnar epithelium with interspersed goblet cells that are normally present only in the small intestine and large intestine.
People with Barrett's esophagus (a change in the cells lining the lower esophagus) are at much higher risk, [55] and may receive regular endoscopic screening for the early signs of cancer. [56] Because the benefit of screening for adenocarcinoma in people without symptoms is unclear, [ 2 ] it is not recommended in the United States. [ 1 ]
Chronic inflammation caused by H. pylori infection in the stomach and GERD in the esophagus are seen as the primary instigators of metaplasia and subsequent adenocarcinoma formation. Initially, the transformed epithelium resembles the small intestine lining; in the later stages it resembles the lining of the colon .
The likelihood of the development to cancer is related to the degree of dysplasia. [11] Dysplasia is the earliest form of precancerous lesion which pathologists can recognize in a pap smear or in a biopsy. Dysplasia can be low grade or high grade. The risk of low-grade dysplasia transforming into high-grade dysplasia, and eventually cancer, is low.
Some people also experience a sensation known as globus esophagus, where it feels as if a ball is lodged in the lower part of the esophagus. The following are additional diseases and conditions that affect the esophagus: Achalasia [1] Acute esophageal necrosis; Barrett's esophagus; Boerhaave syndrome; Caustic injury to the esophagus; Chagas disease
A condition in which the lining of the esophagus changes to look more like the lining of the intestine and increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer. [22] There are no specific symptoms although symptoms of GERD may be present for years prior as it is associated with a 10–15% risk of Barrett's esophagus. [22]
GERD may lead to Barrett's esophagus, a type of intestinal metaplasia, [20] which is in turn a precursor condition for esophageal cancer. The risk of progression from Barrett's to dysplasia is uncertain, but is estimated at 20% of cases. [30] Due to the risk of chronic heartburn progressing to Barrett's, EGD every five years is recommended for ...
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD), also called by various other names, is a diagnostic endoscopic procedure that visualizes the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract down to the duodenum.