A New Horizon

Recommendations and Treatment Guidelines for Barrett's Esophagus

Abstract

Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant metaplastic process that involves the distal esophagus and requires lifelong surveillance and treatment. One of the major risk factors identified in the development of Barrett's esophagus is gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is reported in up to 20% of the adult population in the United States. New mucosal ablative techniques have emerged to treat Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia in an effort to prevent the progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Esophageal cancer is the 7th most prevalent cancer in the world and has a very poor 5-year survival rate. This review focuses on the developments in the field of Barrett's esophagus including the epidemiology, presentation and progression, medical and surgical management, recommendations for treatment, guidelines for surveillance, and new therapeutic treatments.