In some people with long-term acid reflux, Barrett’s esophagus (BE) arises as a new type of esophageal lining that better resists damage caused by reflux. Even though it’s often accompanied by DNA mutations, most people will never need treatment for BE, which will remain benign and stable. But for about five percent of patients with BE, the condition will progress to a kind of cancer called esophageal adenocarcinoma.