A Disease Entity Is Identified

1.1

Introduction

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is the presence of metaplastic columnar epithelium in the lower portion of the esophagus, which is normally lined with stratified squamous epithelium. The main cause of the disease is theorized to be reflux esophagitis developed due to chronic acid exposure as a result of symptomatic or asymptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. In addition, the disease is clinically significant as a major risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Barrett’s esophagus is named after Norman Rupert Barrett, a highly regarded and successful thoracic surgeon of his period. Contrary to popular belief, however, Norman Barrett’s contribution to the identification of the disease was quite limited. Barrett wrote of the presence of ulcers in the esophagus and the presence of columnar epithelium around ulcers in an article published in 1950 entitled “Chronic peptic ulcer of the oesophagus and ‘oesophagitis’” . However, there were number of inaccuracies in this article and the history of the disease dates back to much older times .