SSAT Patient Care Guidelines

Excerpt

Barrett’s esophagus or intestinal metaplasia is defined as the replacement of the normal esophageal stratified squamous epithelium with any length of endoscopically visible columnar epithelium that on biopsy demonstrates acid-mucin containing goblet cells (i.e. intestinal metaplasia). It is estimated to develop in 10–20% of patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Middle-aged white men are at highest risk. The clinical significance of Barrett’s esophagus lies in its relationship with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The risk of developing esophageal cancer in patients with Barrett’s esophagus is about 0.5–1% per year. …