A 54-year-old man presents with dysphagia, heartburn, belching, and epigastric pain. A barium swallow shows a sliding hiatal hernia and a stricture situated higher than usual in the mid-esophagus. Endoscopic findings suggest Barrett's esophagus (ectopic gastric epithelium lining the esophagus). Marked esophagitis with linear ulcerations are seen during endoscopy. A biopsy shows columnar epithelium at the affected area and normal squamous epithelium above, confirming the diagnosis. What statement is TRUE regarding this condition?