Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux as a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma

A population-based, case-control study to investigate the possible association between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia was performed. It demonstrated an odds ratio of 7.7 for esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with GER symptoms. The frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms correlated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. A weaker association was noted for GER and adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia. No association surfaced between GER and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.