Acid Reflux Linked to Head and Neck Cancers in Elderly

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux was linked to cancer in the respiratory and upper digestive tracts in the elderly, reveals a new study.

Cancers of the respiratory and upper digestive tracts account for more than 360,000 deaths worldwide each year. These cancers are thought to be caused by various factors, including chronic inflammation.

Esophageal Disorders - Achalasia Esophagitis Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Esophagus is the tubular structure that carries food, liquids and saliva from mouth to the stomach. esophageal disorders are common but lack a well-defined pathogenetic mechanism.

‘Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) increases the risk of cancer in throat, tonsils and parts of the sinuses in older adults.’

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Studies examining a link between the inflammatory condition gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or acid reflux) and the development of cancer in the respiratory and upper digestive tracts have had conflicting results.

About 13,805 patients (66 or older) with cancer of the respiratory and upper digestive tracts and 13,805 patients without cancer; patient information came from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, a registry of cancer patients and their treatments and outcomes, between 2003-2011.

The study measures cancer of the respiratory and upper digestive tracts.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
This condition occurs due to the reflux of hydrochloric acid of the stomach into the oesophagus

This was a case-control observational study. Patients with cancer of the respiratory and upper digestive tracts (outcome) were compared to those without cancer to examine whether GERD (exposure) was associated with cancer.

Researchers were not intervening for purposes of the study and cannot control natural differences that could explain the study findings.

Reflux Esophagitis- Overview
Reflux esophagitis is a condition causing inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. This happens when there is a upward movement of the acid from the stomach due to weakness of the esophageal sphincter.

The authors of this study were Edward D. McCoul, M.D., M.P.H., Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, and coauthors.

The results showed that GERD was associated with cancer of the throat, tonsils and parts of the sinuses.

Heartburn - Symptom Evaluation
Heartburn is a symptom that occurs due to irritation of the food pipe either due to acid reflux or direct contact with spicy and irritant foods.

The limitations of the study showed that data about patient tobacco and alcohol use, which are the most well-established risk factors for cancer of the respiratory and upper digestive tracts, were not reported in the database.

The diagnosis were based on ICD-9 codes which are used for billing rather than clinical purposes.

GERD was associated with cancer in older adults in the respiratory and upper digestive tracts. This association requires further study to determine causality and to possibly identify an at-risk population so surveillance can be improved and treatment initiated earlier.

Source-Eurekalert