He lectured me in a stern matter and said cancer was on my horizon. Could my GERD (severe acid reflux) develop into cancer (esphpogal?)? He said it would be possible within even 10 to 15 years from now if I continue to drink alcohol heavily.
2006-09-13 10:21:10 · 17 answers · asked by cannonball 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
GERD NOT GERB
2006-09-13 10:21:38 · update #1
If you sort out some of my older answers to questions, you'll find several on GERD.
The lining of the esophagus is made from SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM (flat layered cells) similar to the skin on the outside of your body. The esophageal lining is adapted to accomodating mechanical abrasion, but it is not resistant to acid. The stomach is resistant to acid because the lining tissue secretes a mucus layer that helps retard the exposure of acid against its own cells. In some people with bad reflux, the base of the esophagus which is frequently bathed in acid eventually starts to develop an altered lining tissue with mucus secreting capability.
When one region of the body normally associated with a specific tissue type starts to produce a different tissue type, this is called METAPLASIA. Esophageal lining tissue, when it changes from being squamous epithelium into intestinal (mucus secreting) epithelium, is described as undergoing INTESTINAL METAPLASIA. Esophageal intestinal metaplasia is also called "Barrett's Esophagus".
Reflux is one of the most common chronic complaints brought to doctors' attention in the United States. The number of people being treated for this complaint numbers in the millions range. However, of those people only about 1% will develop Barrett's, and of those under 1% will develop esophageal cancer. However, considering that somewhere around 17,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will be detected each year nationwide, and the population of the US is almost 300 million, refluxers represent the overwhelming majority of esophagus cancer cases.
Does alcohol intake increase cancer risk? It turns out that it absolutely does. Alcohol intake has been shown to be an independent risk for esophageal cancer, however I am not aware if this is believed to be as a result of it potentiating reflux, or by an independent mechanism. The evidence is pretty solid though, that cancer of the esophagus occurs more frequently in drinkers.
Can the process be reversed? It may very well be that it can. Recent evidence suggests that a fraction of people who have a history of Barrett's esophagus will revert to normal appearing lining, once the reflux has been halted. The trouble is that we don't have any way of predicting who will and who won't go on to revert to normal. The presumption must therefore be that ongoing EGD with biopsies is important every year.
2006-09-13 18:12:34 · answer #1 · answered by bellydoc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's possible but not probably. Do you have Barrett's esophagus? This is a condition related to GERD that has maybe 10-25% chance to develop into esophageal cancer.
2006-09-13 16:05:54 · answer #2 · answered by Becca 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a probability especially when you have a strong family history. Having GERD or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease is getting your esophageal cells to frequent acid exposure which normally should only be in the stomach. Esophageal cell can easily be scarred by acid and frequent scarring and inflammation can predispose them to develop malignant cells but not everyone goes into it..
2006-09-13 10:52:26 · answer #3 · answered by *** 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is true I'm afraid. GERD leads to a condition called Barrett's esophagus, and then esophageal cancer. Drinking heavily is not good for your body in any sense. Please try to drink only moderately, and follow your doctor's advice. Best wishes to you.
2006-09-14 01:00:13 · answer #4 · answered by Char 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You bet it can, GERD alone can do it and when you add alcohol to it that bad. My husband had esophageal cancer and died 10 months after he was diagnose. He had an 8 inch tumor, he went from 176 to 90 lbs in 10 months. So please take care of yourself.
2006-09-13 14:25:32 · answer #5 · answered by Granny 1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he is right. I type doctor's reports for a living, and I read of horrible problems people have from drinking alcohol in excess. You are likely to develop irreversible problems with your esophagus, stomach, liver and kidneys. Quit now before any more damage is done.
2006-09-13 10:38:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. I own a sleep lab and we treat GERD. It can also cause liver disfunction, kidney problems, as well as cancer in both of these organs. It can also lead to dimentia and permanent brain damage. I hope things work out for you.
2006-09-13 10:31:17 · answer #7 · answered by Ice4444 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes:
if you don't belive the doc, how about American Cancer sco
www.cancer.org:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_2X_What_causes_esophagus_cancer_Can_it_be_prevented_12.asp?sitearea=
And
it is 100% fatal and average morality is 80+ % within 5 years
My aunt just died from this - she didn't drink but had GERD of 30 years.
2006-09-14 08:23:52 · answer #8 · answered by jewells_40 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
VERY POSSIBLE! FYI...just so you know if you get esophageal cancer it has a 13% chance of living 5 years!
It is one of the worst... Preventing is a good thing.
2006-09-13 14:57:48 · answer #9 · answered by james c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a little FYI. Do not take Tylenol when drinking. That does not do your liver any favors. Yes your doctor is correct.
2006-09-13 10:35:57 · answer #10 · answered by hello 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋