GERD a potential risk factor for larynx, esophagus cancer

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may increase the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EADC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), according to a study published in Cancer.

In this prospective study, 490,605 participants of the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study cohort between the ages of 50‐71 years of age at baseline were included.

In this cohort, there were 931 cases of EADC, 876 cases of LSCC, and 301 cases of ESCC. Estimated multivariable‐adjusted HRs were 2.23 (95% CI, 1.72‐2.90), 1.91 (95% CI, 1.24‐2.94), and 1.99 (95% CI, 1.39‐2.84), respectively. The associations were independent of sex, smoking status, alcohol intake, and follow‐up time periods.

The researchers estimated that 22.04% of patients between the ages of 50 and 71 years in the United States had GERD. Among this age group, 16.92% of LSCC cases and 17.32% of ESCC cases were estimated to be associated with GERD after using risk factor distributions.

Reference
Wang SM, Freedman ND, Katki HA, et al. Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A risk factor for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study cohort. Cancer. 2021; https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.33427