Barrett's Esophagus

BARRETT'S esophagus is a condition in which the squamous mucosa that normally lines the distal esophagus is replaced by a columnar epithelium resembling that in the stomach and intestines. This aberrant epithelium may be the site of esophageal ulceration, stricture, and adenocarcinoma. Early misconceptions and ongoing controversies regarding the definition, pathogenesis, and clinical features of Barrett's esophagus have resulted in persistent confusion about the disorder. Recent studies have clarified some of these issues substantially. The purpose of this report is to review critically some of the controversies about Barrett's esophagus and to describe the recent advances in our understanding of.