What are the general morphologic features of Barrett’s esophagus and the carcinomas arising in it? Can Barrett’s carcinoma be differentiated from carcinoma of the gastric cardia?

Abstract

The columnarhned esophagus (CLE) often referred to as Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the squamous epithehum normally lining the distal esophagus becomes replaced by columnar epithehum with features of either gastric or intestinal mucosa or both. It is almost certainly the result of acid gastro-esophageal reflux. Comphcations include peptic ulceration, stricture, dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Although commonly referred to as Barrett’s esophagus, the condition probably most recognized by Tileston in 1906 [1], while Lyall described the condition weh in 1937 [2]. It should be pointed out that residual islands of gastric type mucosa can be found at endoscopy in about 4% of the population in the cervical esophagus. This is excluded from further discussions of the columnar-hned esophagus.