Open AccessBarrettʼs oesophagus - a ray of hope
Author(s) -
R. V. Heatley,
Pierre G. Guillou
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
european journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.881
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1473-5687
pISSN - 0954-691X
DOI - 10.1097/00042737-199709000-00009
Subject(s) - medicine , reflux , barrett's oesophagus , incidence (geometry) , gastroenterology , disease , esophageal disease , cancer , esophagus , malignant transformation , surgery , adenocarcinoma , pathology , physics , optics
The incidence of oesophageal cancer at the cardia is believed to be increasing, especially in younger individuals. Although the causes are unknown, Barrett's oesophagus may be such a cause, since it has a proven pre-malignant potential. It is generally believed that long-standing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease predisposes to columnar transformation in the oesophagus, although it is unclear whether medical or surgical treatment has significant effects in the long term.