Barrett's esophagus
Barrett's esophagus is a condition of the esophagus (swallowing tube)
in which the normal white lining of the esophagus has been replaced
by an abnormal red lining called specialized intestinal metaplasia.
It occurs in about 10% of people who have chronic or longstanding gastroesophageal
reflux disease (heartburn). Barrett's esophagus is a precancerous lining
in which a type of esophageal cancer called adenocarcinoma can develop
but the risk of cancer is low in most patients. At the present
time, no one can predict which patients with Barrett's esophagus will
develop cancer. It is, therefore, recommended that all patients who
have Barrett's esophagus have their esophagus periodically checked to
detect cancer when it is early and curable.
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