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, 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.