title: Barrett's esophagus.
abstract: Barrett's esophagus is an acquired metaplastic abnormality in which the normal stratified squamous epithelium lining of the esophagus is replaced by an intestinal-like columnar epithelium. While in itself a benign and asymptomatic disorder, the clinical importance of this relatively common condition relates to its role as a precursor lesion to esophageal adenocarcinoma, the incidence of which has dramatically increased in Western populations in recent years. Although known to arise as a consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying development Barrett's esophagus and its progression to cancer remain unclear.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. wayne.phillips@petermac.org
authors.forename: Wayne A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Reginald V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: Derek J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nancarrow
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Whiteman
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008679:Metaplasia; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor