Abstract
Barrett’s epithelium refers to the replacement of the normal stratified squamous epithelium with columnar epithelial cells, possibly as a consequence of chronic reflux of gastric content into the esophagus, and is thought to be a pre-neoplastic disorder with the later development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. In this study, biopsy specimens from patients with Barrett’s esophagus were examined with fluorescein-linked peanut lectin to determine if lectin reactivity, indicative of a previously reported colon cancer-associated mucin in colonic polyps, was present in the columnar lined esophagus. In all of the patients studied, positive but variable labelling with this lectin was present, providing additional evidence that Barrett’s epithelium represents a heterogeneous preneoplastic change of the esophagus.