Development of Barrett's esophagus six months after total gastrectomy.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an acquired disease of the esophagus, in which esophageal squamous epithelium is changed by injury from reflux to metaplastic intestinal type columnar epithelium. BE is the premalignant lesion of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. It is widely accepted that the long-standing reflux of gastric acid is a catalyst for the development of BE.