[Barrett's esophagus--diagnosis and treatment]

Abstract

Barretts esophagus (BE) is a disorder in which the normal squamous mucosa of the esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium. Data from the literature of the last years show that BE with so-called specialized intestine type mucosa is a frequently diagnosed disease during endoscopical examination, particularly in men over 60 years of age with heartburn. This type of epithelium is a recognized risk factor of the esophageal adenocarcinoma. There is presented the current classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of BE as well as the problem of the BE connection with the esophageal adenocarcinoma.