Abstract
Since Barrett's esophagus is a risk factor for developing adenocarcinoma, it is important to detect dysplastic areas in Barrett's esophagus. However, it is difficult to detect dysplastic areas because of inflammation caused by gastroesophageal reflux. Several methods, such as chromoendoscopy with methylene blue, crystal violet or indigo carmine, magnification endoscopy with acetic acid spraying and image-enhanced endoscopy, are used for the detection of dysplasia or cancer.
There are two layers of muscularis mucosae in Barrett's esophagus of which the deeper layer is the essential layer of the esophagus. Therefore, Barrett's-associated intramucosal adenocarcinoma or Barrett's adenocarcinoma infiltrating within the lamina propria is an indication for endoscopic treatment. Although endoscopic resection and ablation are performed for the treatment of Barrett's adenocarcinoma, endoscopic resection, which allows us to make pathological assessment precisely, is more common in Japan.
