Barrett's esophagus. Current assessment and future perspectives.

Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant condition and must be suspected in any patient with signs and symptoms of chronic reflux esophagitis. This condition itself is asymptomatic, so maintaining a high index of suspicion is the key to diagnosis. This article reviews natural history, pathogenesis, prevalence, and clinical symptoms of Barrett's esophagus. Diagnosis, dysplasia, adenocarcinoma, and treatment are discussed.