Barrett's Esophagus

About

Barrett's esophagus is marked by changes in the cells lining the esophagus — the ten-inch tube that connects your mouth and stomach. Normal esophageal tissue is smooth, flat and pink, but Barrett's cells are thick, red, column-shaped rectangles, much like those found in the small intestine. These tissue changes occur mainly in people who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the chronic backwash of stomach acid into the lower esophagus.

Only a small percentage — about 10 to 15 percent — of people with GERD develop Barrett's esophagus, while others experience few, if any, symptoms of acid reflux. Although Barrett's itself doesn't cause symptoms, it increases the risk of esophageal cancer. About 7 to 10 of every 100 people with Barrett's esophagus may develop esophageal adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer that can spread rapidly if not found and treated in the early stages.

Most people found to have Barrett's are age 50 or older, although the problem often exists for years before being diagnosed. Barrett's esophagus is far more common in men than in women and affects whites more often than people of other races. People who have had acid reflux for 10 years or longer are at greatest risk, but many patients with Barrett's have no history of typical GERD symptoms.

Read more about Barrett's esophagus at MayoClinic.com.