A 54-year-old Caucasian man presents with progressive dysphagia for 3 months. This is only to solids, and is associated with a sensation of food getting stuck in the middle of his chest. He has also lost 10 pounds of weight over the past three months.

He does not take any medications presently, and specifically, has never taken medications for heartburn. However, further questioning reveals that he has experienced multiple episodes of regurgitant material coming up to his throat, especially at night, for several years now.

His medical and family histories are otherwise unremarkable. He is an active smoker with a greater than 30 pack year smoking history and drinks alcohol socially.