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Barrett's esophagus: A complication of severe chronic GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease) involving changes in the cells of the tissue that line the bottom of the esophagus. These esophageal cells become irritated when the contents of the stomach back up (refluxes) and there is a small but definite increased risk of adenocarcinoma (cancer) of the esophagus. The diagnosis of Barrett 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 the gastroesophageal junction and finding intestinal type cells (goblet cells) on biopsy of the lining. Treatment is, in general, essentially the same as for GERD both medically (with acid-suppression drugs) and surgically (with fundoplication).
Named after Norman Rupert Barrett (1903-1979), an eminent thoracic surgeon born in Australia who studied medicine and practiced in Britain.
Reviews the normal function of the esophagus and explains gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Discusses the relationship between GERD and Barrett's esophagus, and ...
Barrett's esophagus is a condition of the esophagus (swallowing tube) in which the normal white lining of the esophagus has been replaced ...
Key Terms: Diaphragm. Definition Barrett's esophagus is pre-cancerous condition in which normal cells lining the esophagus are replaced with abnormal cells that, in ...
Barrett's esophagus — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment of disorder caused by stomach acid reflux.
Barrett's esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach) is damaged by stomach acid.