Acid Reflux Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acid Reflux, including details on diet, gerd (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), treatment, symptoms.

Controversies surrounding body mass, reflux, and risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Lagergren J

Unit of Oesophageal and Gastric Research, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. jesper.lagergren@kirurgi.ki.se

At first the association between body mass, reflux, and oesophageal adenocarcinoma might seem easily interpreted, but a more thorough assessment of the published work shows that several factors are missing. Reflux and obesity are established risk factors for oesophageal adenocarcinoma, particularly when they occur in combination. However, the interplay between these and other factors with regard to oesophageal adenocarcinoma is uncertain. Moreover, the contribution of these risk factors in explaining the increasing incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma is unclear, because the trends in prevalence of reflux and obesity do not match those of incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Moreover, none of these factors contribute strongly to the striking predominance of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in men. Thus, several factors that can explain the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma need to be addressed.

Published 31 March 2006 in Lancet Oncol, 7(4): 347-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Acid Reflux Research Today. All Rights Reserved.