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Mayo Clinic studies find association between acid reflux and esophageal cancer
May 24, 2006And possible genetic basis for both Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Two new Mayo Clinic studies draw attention to the risk factors and possible genetic basis for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma). These studies will be presented Monday, May 22, and Tuesday, May 23, in Los Angeles at Digestive Disease Week® 2006.
According to G. Richard Locke III, M.D., and Yvonne Romero, M.D., Mayo Clinic gastroenterologists and co-authors of one study, the incidence of esophageal cancer is increasing at what has been called an "epidemic" rate, but the cause for this increase is uncertain. Their team studied 186 cases of esophageal and stomach cancer (adenocarcinoma) and found a significant association between esophageal cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as acid reflux.
According to Dr. Locke, the research strengthens the understanding of the connection between acid reflux and esophageal cancer.
"But only about 5 percent of individuals who experience acid reflux will develop Barrett's esophagus," says Dr. Romero. "And once Barrett's esophagus is diagnosed, patients have a 30- to 125-fold increased risk of developing esophageal cancer."
Barrett's esophagus is a condition that occurs when acid reflux stimulates changes in the lining of the esophagus so that it resembles the lining of the intestines. Currently, the only way to identify Barrett's esophagus is by performing an endoscopy.
"Acid reflux is such a common problem that it is unrealistic to perform an endoscopic examination on everyone who experiences it," explains Dr. Locke. "Thus, in order to learn what's causing this increase in esophageal cancer, we first need to know what's causing Barrett's esophagus and whether there are any genetic risks for which acid reflux patients could be screened."
A second study, led by Dr. Romero, examined that question.
Her team discovered strong evidence for susceptibility genes in familial Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma). The genetic linkage analysis was performed on 278 people in 31 families with two or more members affected by Barrett's esophagus, with or without esophageal cancer.
"Our research found areas on a chromosome that appear to be important for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer - so we're on the right path," says Dr. Romero. "Our next step is to look at 94 additional families to identify the particular genes associated with these disorders. Eventually, we'd like to develop a blood test for Barrett's esophagus to identify who has this precancerous lining early in their disease course, to ultimately prevent it from escalating into esophageal cancer."
Mayo Clinic
According to Dr. Locke, the research strengthens the understanding of the connection between acid reflux and esophageal cancer.
"But only about 5 percent of individuals who experience acid reflux will develop Barrett's esophagus," says Dr. Romero. "And once Barrett's esophagus is diagnosed, patients have a 30- to 125-fold increased risk of developing esophageal cancer."
Barrett's esophagus is a condition that occurs when acid reflux stimulates changes in the lining of the esophagus so that it resembles the lining of the intestines. Currently, the only way to identify Barrett's esophagus is by performing an endoscopy.
"Acid reflux is such a common problem that it is unrealistic to perform an endoscopic examination on everyone who experiences it," explains Dr. Locke. "Thus, in order to learn what's causing this increase in esophageal cancer, we first need to know what's causing Barrett's esophagus and whether there are any genetic risks for which acid reflux patients could be screened."
A second study, led by Dr. Romero, examined that question.
Her team discovered strong evidence for susceptibility genes in familial Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma). The genetic linkage analysis was performed on 278 people in 31 families with two or more members affected by Barrett's esophagus, with or without esophageal cancer.
"Our research found areas on a chromosome that appear to be important for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer - so we're on the right path," says Dr. Romero. "Our next step is to look at 94 additional families to identify the particular genes associated with these disorders. Eventually, we'd like to develop a blood test for Barrett's esophagus to identify who has this precancerous lining early in their disease course, to ultimately prevent it from escalating into esophageal cancer."
Mayo Clinic
Esophageal Cancer Current Events and Esophageal Cancer News RSSReflux esophagitis due to immune reaction, not acute acid burn, UT Southwestern researchers report
Contrary to current thinking, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might not develop as a direct result of acidic digestive juices burning the esophagus, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found in an animal study.
African-Americans with colorectal cancer have poorer outcomes, lower survival rates
New research published in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that African-American patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease and are less likely to undergo surgical procedures compared with Caucasians, suggesting that improvements in screening and rates of operation may reduce differences in colorectal cancer outcomes for African-Americans.
Surgeons at Boston Medical Center offering new procedure for acid reflux/GERD
Boston Medical Center (BMC) surgeons are now offering patients an incisionless alternative to laparoscopic and traditional surgery for treatment of acid reflux or GERD.
Barrett's esophagus patients have same survival rates as general population
New Mayo Clinic research has found that survival rates of patients with Barrett's esophagus, which can be a precursor for esophageal cancer, are no different than the survival rates for the general population.
GERD negatively impacts sleep quality, results in considerable economic burden
There has been much debate about the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep.
Heavy drinkers face significantly increased cancer risk
Heavy drinkers of beer and spirits face a much higher risk of developing cancer than the population at large, says a group of Montreal epidemiologists and cancer researchers.
University of Saskatchewan and Canadian Synchrotron researchers shed light on esophageal disease
Canadian Light Source (CLS) staff scientist Luca Quaroni and Dr. Alan Casson, Head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) used the synchrotron's infrared microscope to identify tissue afflicted with a condition known as Barrett's Esophagus from chemical fingerprints associated with the disease, which can lead to esophageal cancer.
NEJM study finds radiofrequency ablation can reverse Barrett's esophagus, reduce cancer risk
Patients who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for a prolonged period have an increased risk of developing Barrett's esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition where the tissue lining the esophagus becomes damaged by stomach acid and transformed into something like the inside of the stomach.
Technique eradicates problems in most patients with Barrett's esophagus
A procedure that uses heat generated by radio waves to treat Barrett's esophagus, a condition caused by acid reflux (severe heartburn), can eliminate signs of the potentially cancer-causing disorder and reduce the risk that the disease will progress.
Study examines reliability of clinical and pathological diagnoses of Barrett's esophagus
In a review of more than 2,000 patients coded for Barrett's esophagus, electronic diagnosis overestimated the prevalence of the disease according to researchers in California.
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