Barrett esophagus is a condition where specialized columnar metaplasia replaces the squamous mucosa of the distal esophagus in some patients with long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The presence of Barrett esophagus is a risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

GERD of 10-year duration, male sex, Northern European descent, obesity, history of smoking, family history, and advanced age are risk factors for developing Barrett esophagus. Patients with GERD and risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma should consider a screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to evaluate for Barrett esophagus. Even among patients with Barrett esophagus, the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma is low, estimated at 0.05% annually. Most patients with Barrett esophagus do not develop esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Barrett esophagus is typically asymptomatic. Patients with Barrett esophagus may or may not have symptomatic reflux.