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Can GERD Cause Esophageal Cancer?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Nov 2015
Question: hello Doctor

please help me with my nerves; and afraidness.

I have esophageal dysfunction and probably a hiatal hernia also.
I suffer from GERD.
I got medication that helps; but it's pretty bad for weeks inbetween.
Ofcourse the doctors try new medication and try to find the best solution

But after I read on the internet about esophageal cancer, I have totally lost hope for everything.
The esophageal cancer sounds like a death penalty.

Im only 26 years old, and I have had this problem since I was 20.

Does the internet always tells us about the worst case scenario or don't I have hope for the future ??
or is esophageal cancer something that comes after 30 years of suffer ??

plz tell me something good without lying.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Chances are less

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

One of the rare complications of GERD is esophageal cancer.
But it takes decades of uncontrolled GERD to cause cancer.

Not all individuals with GERD develop cancer.
Moreover GERD does not cause cancer directly. It causes Barrett's esophagus first which may later develop in to cancer.

And as I told you above it takes decades to develop all these.

You can get an upper GI endoscopy done to look for Barrett's esophagus and surveillance endoscopy may be planned based on the findings.

I hope that answers your query.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 2215 Questions

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Can GERD Cause Esophageal Cancer?

Brief Answer: Chances are less Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for posting your query. I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you. One of the rare complications of GERD is esophageal cancer. But it takes decades of uncontrolled GERD to cause cancer. Not all individuals with GERD develop cancer. Moreover GERD does not cause cancer directly. It causes Barrett's esophagus first which may later develop in to cancer. And as I told you above it takes decades to develop all these. You can get an upper GI endoscopy done to look for Barrett's esophagus and surveillance endoscopy may be planned based on the findings. I hope that answers your query. Let me know if you have any more questions. Regards, Dr.R.K.