Gastroenterology Consultants,SC: Diseases of the GI tract BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS [<<back | list all>>] The cells lining the esophagus differ from those lining the stomach or intestines, mainly because they have different functions. They also have a different appearance, so it is usually easy for a physician to tell them apart when examining the esophagus and stomach. Normally there is an area at the end of the esophagus that marks the border between the cells of the esophagus and those of the stomach. Barrett's esophagus is the abnormal growth of intestinal-type cells above this border, into the esophagus. In time, the Barrett's cells may develop abnormal changes known as dysplasia . Over a period of two to five years, the dysplasia may then progress to low grade, then to high grade dysplasia, and finally cancer. This happens in only 5% of patient's with Barrett's esophagus.