title: [Barrett esophagus--an increasing problem].
abstract: There has been a considerable increase in the incidence of adenocarsinoma in the proximal stomach (cancer of the cardia) and distal oesophagus (Barrett's cancer) for the past 20 years. There is probably also a parallel increase in the pathogenetically related conditions reflux oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus. In patients with classical Barrett's oesophagus, i.e., metaplastic changes in the mucosa more than 3 cm up from the gastro-oesophageal junction, a follow-up programme with endoscopy and adequate biopsies is recommended in cases where a finding of premalignant changes or malignancy will have therapeutic consequences. In "short segment" Barrett's oesophagus it is still not clear how extensive the biopsy and follow-up programme should be. It is also not clear whether other tests should be performed. Screening for malignancy, possibly by means of cancer-markers, and local treatment modalities of (pre-) malignant changes, are interesting possibilities that are being investigated.
authors.affiliation: Medisinsk avdeling Haukeland Sykehus, Bergen.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berstad
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hatlebakk
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Giercksky
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002299:Cardia; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
vernacular_title: Barretts oesophagus--et økende problem.