Cancer Diary: The GERD–Cancer Connection: What You Should Know
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more than just chronic heartburn—it’s a condition that, over time, can lead to cellular changes in the esophagus and, in rare cases, cancer. Let’s unpack the journey from reflux to risk. đŸ”¥ GERD → Barrett’s Esophagus: How Often? GERD affects up to 20% of Western populations weekly. Barrett’s esophagus develops in about 10–15% of GERD patients . Barrett’s is a condition where the normal squamous cells lining the esophagus are replaced by columnar cells, resembling intestinal tissue—a process called intestinal metaplasia . đŸ§¬ Is Barrett’s Esophagus Stage 0 Cancer? Not quite. Barrett’s itself is precancerous , but when it progresses to high-grade dysplasia , it’s often classified as stage 0 esophageal cancer . Stage 0 means abnormal cells are confined to the top layer of the esophagus lining and haven’t invaded deeper tissues. It’s called “stage 0” because it’s the earliest detectable phase before true invasive cancer begins. ...