[Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma]

Abstract

Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma arises in Barrett's epithelium, which is grouped with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is very low in eastern countries, including Japan, it has been increasing markedly and is similar to that of squamous cell carcinoma in the western countries. Surveillance, endoscopic treatment, and chemoprevention using COX-2 inhibitors have recently been developed for dysplasia or mucosal cancer in Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma is diagnosed by endoscopy and by biopsy specimens pathologically. Surgical resection has been a mainstream treatment but definitive or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has recently been performed.