title: Surgical and Molecular Pathology of Barrett Esophagus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with Barrett esophagus (BE) are predisposed to developing dysplasia and cancer. Adenocarcinoma, which is associated with BE, is the most common type of esophageal tumor and, typically, it has an aggressive clinical course and a high rate of mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  The English-language literature relating to tumor epidemiology, etiology, and the pathogenesis of BE was reviewed and summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The role of pathologists in the diagnosis and pitfalls associated with grading Barrett dysplasia is addressed. Current molecular testing for Barrett neoplasia, as well as testing methods currently in development, is discussed, focusing on relevant tests for diagnosing tumor types, determining prognosis, and assessing therapeutic response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Grading is essential for developing appropriate treatment plans, follow-up visits, and therapeutic interventions for each patient. Familiarity with current molecular testing methods will help physicians correctly diagnose the disease and select the most appropriate therapy for each of their patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomic Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Domenico.Coppola@Moffitt.org.
authors.forename: Sherma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zibadi
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coppola
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011230:Precancerous Conditions; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors