A 60-year-old man with long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease undergoes endoscopy. Biopsy from the distal esophagus shows columnar epithelium with goblet cells replacing the normal squamous epithelium. Which term best describes this change?
- A Dysplasia
- B Hyperplasia
- C Metaplasia ✓
- D Hypertrophy
Correct answer: C. Metaplasia
Explanation
Barrett esophagus is intestinal metaplasia where squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium with goblet cells due to chronic reflux. Metaplasia is a reversible change from one differentiated cell type to another. Dysplasia shows cytological atypia. Hyperplasia is increased cell number. Hypertrophy is increased cell size.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.