[Preface: Recent perspectives of the Barrett's esophagus]

Abstract

As the prevalence of reflux esophagitis is increasing in Japan, due to increased amount of energy intake and improved hygiene with the reduced H. pylori infection, the number of patients having Barrett's esophagus is also increasing. In the Western countries, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is rapidly increasing among the white elder male, where the reflux esophagitis is more common. Terminology of Barrett's esophagus is still confusing. Recent proposal of endoscopic evaluation of Barrett's esophagus is based on the endoscopic findings, not histologic findings. In the development of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, several steps of genetic abnormalities might be involved. We still do not know whether we may experience an increase of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in Japan or not.