title: Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer: an overview.
abstract: Although esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth most common cancer in several             European countries, it is one of deadliest worldwide. The most frequent predisposing             factor implicated in its development is Barrett's esophagus (BE), an acquired             metaplastic transformation of the esophageal lining cells from normal squamous             epithelium into specialised or intestinal-like columnar epithelium. The major             risk factor for BE is gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although BE is in itself             a benign and often asymptomatic disorder, its clinical importance stems from the             recognition that it represents the main precursor lesion for the development of             esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC), a tumor that is rapidly increasing especially             in developed countries and is associated with a low survival rate. This paper             provides an overview of the epidemiology and natural history of BE as well as             of the possible pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the development of BE and its             progressive transition to AC. New diagnostic tests are described, recommendations             for screening and surveillance are provided and surgical and ablative procedures             to treat dysplastic lesions and early neoplasia are discussed. Claimed chemopreventive             agents and biomarkers that in the near future may help identify people with a             higher risk of EC are also considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy. cinzia.conteduca@libero.it
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Conteduca
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sansonno
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ingravallo
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marangi
authors.forename: Sabino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russi
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lauletta
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dammacco
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy