Mechanisms underlying the progression of Barrett's oesophagus

Barrett's oesophagus develops secondary to gastro-oesophageal reflux and 0.5–1% of patients per year will progress to adenocarcinoma. Previously, the mainstay of treatment for invasive adenocarcinoma has been surgical with abysmal 5-year outcomes. The existence of a metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence with specific histopathological and molecular changes affords the opportunity for early detection and intervention using endoscopic techniques. As the molecular pathways to cancer are elucidated, targeted drugs and chemopreventive strategies will become possible.

Section editor:Yu-Xiao Yang – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA