[Barrett esophagus. Diagnosis and treatment]

Columnar epithelial metaplasia of the distal esophagus (i.e. barrett's esophagus) is an acquired condition showing a prevalence of 4%. It is probably due to abnormal reparative processes of the esophageal squamous epithelium after gastroesophageal reflux damage. "Mixed" (both acid and biliary) reflux seems more relevant for the pathogenesis of Barrett's esophagus than acid reflux alone, as shown by recent studies with Bilitec 2000. Its diagnosis is not easy for the "cardiac", "fundic" or "indeterminate" types of columnar metaplasia and needs a close cooperation between the endoscopist and the pathologist. On the contrary, it is less difficult for the "distinctive" type of metaplasia. Barrett's esophagus surveillance represents a major challenge in the perspective of its malignant degeneration (adenocarcinoma risk 350 times greater than in the general population). Therapy of Barrett's esophagus includes drugs and surgical treatment. Among the drugs proton pump inhibitors such as Omeprazole seem, at the moment, the most effective for reflux control, as well as the Nissen-Rossetti operation seems the most widely accepted among the anti-reflux surgical procedures. The novelty concerning Barrett's esophagus therapy is represented by laser photoablation associated with proton pump inhibiting therapy. But the experience with this treatment is still at a preliminary stage. For Barrett's esophagus with severe dysplasia and/or adenocarcinoma and/or squamous cell carcinoma esophagectomy is needed with a different extent and approach, according to the extent of Barrett's esophagus and to the stage and site of the neoplastic changes.