ISS Symposium From Heartburn to Barrett’s Esophagus, and Beyond

Excerpt

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a unique condition whose prevalence has been increasing worldwide. It manifests initially with symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation, which can affect profoundly the quality of life. In about 10–15% of patients, it determines a transformation of the mucosal lining of the esophagus—from a squamous epithelium to a columnar epithelium—a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus can eventually progress to adenocarcinoma, the most common esophageal cancer in the western world. Furthermore, today it is recognized that the fatal potential of GERD is due not only to the development of cancer, but also of severe lung disorders such as pulmonary fibrosis. …