The term “Barrett’s esophagus” refers to certain changes in the lining of your esophagus, usually as a result of contact with stomach acid over time, especially if you have chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition that causes symptoms of heartburn. If you have Barrett’s esophagus, you are more likely to develop a rare form of cancer of the esophagus.

Barrett’s esophagus is often diagnosed when physicians perform an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy to look for the cause of severe and chronic symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. During the endoscopy, the physician will remove some tissue from various parts of the esophagus. The tissue is sent for a biopsy, which will confirm the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus and reveal any pre-cancerous or cancerous changes in the lining of your esophagus.