Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the normal squamous cells lining the esophagus are replaced by intestinal-like columnar cells. This metaplastic change is typically a response to chronic injury from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The presence of Barrett's esophagus is a significant risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma, a serious and often deadly form of esophageal cancer.
