Barrett’s esophagus, often a precursor to esophageal cancer, results from residual, embryonic cells
Thursday, June 23, 2011 - 16:30
in Health & Medicine
Researchers discovered a new mechanism for the origin of Barrett's esophagus, an intestine-like growth in the esophagus that is triggered by acid reflux and often progresses to esophageal cancer. The key finding is that Barrett's esophagus arises not from mutant cells in the esophagus but rather a small group of previously overlooked cells present in all adults that can rapidly expand to cancer precursors when the normal esophagus is damaged by acid.