Biopsy of upper gastrointestinal tract lesions. Indications and clinical significance.

Endoscopic biopsy is an integral part of the investigation of foregut disease. This article discusses the indications for obtaining biopsies in lesions of the esophagus and stomach and for interpretation of brush cytology, fine needle aspiration, and interoperative tissue biopsy in foregut malignancies. New concepts in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus are proposed and appropriate management strategies of this condition are examined in depth.