title: Barrett's oesophagus: diagnosis and management.
abstract: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and its sequela, Barrett's oesophagus, are the major recognized risk factors for oesophageal adenocarcinoma, a tumour whose frequency has increased dramatically in Western countries over the past few decades. Barrett's oesophagus develops through the process of metaplasia in which one adult cell type replaces another. The metaplastic, intestinal-type cells of Barrett's oesophagus are predisposed to develop genetic changes that eventuate in cancer. This report reviews the recent controversy regarding diagnostic criteria for Barrett's oesophagus, and provides practical guidelines for identifying the condition. The risks and benefits of the proposed medical, surgical and endoscopic therapies for Barrett's oesophagus are discussed in detail, and the approach to management recently endorsed by the American College of Gastroenterology is summarized.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology (111B1), Dallas Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 4500 South Lancaster Road, Dallas, TX, 75216, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Spechler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents