Esophageal Cancer and Obesity

Judging from the number of heartburn medications advertised on television over the past two or three decades, many people appear to have some type of acid reflux. Many people believe that the burning sensation they feel in their chest is due to excess stomach acid. Chances are, though, that the problem is with the esophagus itself, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Stomach acids are responsible for the burning sensation, but we now know that these acids aren't being overproduced because you've consumed spicy foods or have overeaten. Rather, the band of muscle called the esophageal sphincter may be closing improperly, allowing stomach acid to splash back up into your esophagus, the tube that leads from your mouth to your stomach.

New Treatment for GERD In April 2003, the FDA approved an implant to help treat GERD. The device, called Enteryx, is implanted during an endoscopic procedure and prevents the reflux of stomach acid that occurs as a result of the condition. It could even reduce the need for daily medication for people with chronic symptoms.

For unknown reasons, the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and of gastric cardia carcinoma (GCC) have risen dramatically over recent years in the US and Europe. The National Cancer Institute estimates an increase of about 350 percent among males over 65 in two decades. Needless to say, researchers are trying to determine why this increase has occurred at a time when stomach cancers have decreased. Learn more about Esophageal Cancer.

Ten to twenty percent of patients who have chronic GERD suffer from a condition called Barrett's esophagus, whereby the long-standing exposure of esophageal cells to acidic fluid changes their microscopic appearance. They may experience heartburn, indigestion, and nocturnal regurgitation (stomach contents backing up when the patient lies down at night). People with Barrett's esophagus have a higher likelihood of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Investigations into the rise of EAC and GCC point to the rise in obesity and morbid obesity in Europeans and Americans. What remains to be discovered is an explanation of why such a correlation might exist. Additionally, statistics show that the condition is found overwhelmingly in males (more than eighty percent), especially white males.

According to one theory, excess abdominal fat pushes stomach acids back up into the esophagus, starting the cycle of inflammation that can lead to Barrett's esophagus. Dietary factors are under investigation. Although some studies have found that overweight men are twice as likely to contract it as men of normal weight, the link between obesity and cancer of the esophagus is still inconclusive. Men whose fat is concentrated in the abdominal area appear to be at greatest risk.

Some of the symptoms of esophageal cancer are listed below. If you're experiencing even just a few of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible:

While severe indigestion, heartburn or Barrett's esophagus are not necessarily indicators of the presence of cancer, taking over-the-counter antacids can mask symptoms of cancer of the esophagus and unnecessarily delay diagnosis and treatment, reducing your odds of survival.