Patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease have lower rates of esophageal cancer than other GI patients because they are more likely to be screened for Barrett's esophagus, which can develop into cancer, according to a report in the Archives of Surgery.
A study at the University of Pittsburgh found that patients with severe GERD symptoms are typically screened for Barrett's esophagus, a change in the cells lining the esophagus often due to repeated stomach acid exposure.
However, many patients with adenocarcinoma, a common form of esophageal cancer, were unaware that they have Barrett's esophagus. Researchers said the finding may explain why current screening methods fail to detect many cases of esophageal cancer.
Read the Archives of Surgery report on more screening for patients with severe GERD.
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