Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux as a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma

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