Barrett’s esophagus is a relatively common condition in which normal esophageal tissue (which is squamous cell epithelium) is replaced by columnar metaplasia. Up to five percent of people here in the United States will develop this condition but most alarmingly, another five percent may go on to develop esophageal adenocarcinoma. Since cancer of the esophagus has a very poor prognosis, recognition of this condition and early treatment is of paramount importance.
