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Does Achalasia Treatment Lower the Risk of Esophageal Cancer?

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Reassessing the Risk of Esophageal Cancer in Achalasia Post Therapy Findings From a Large United States Propensity Matched Cohort Study DOI 10.1111nmo.70151

Achalasia is a condition where the muscles in the esophagus don’t work properly. Food has trouble moving down into the stomach, and people may feel chest pain, trouble swallowing, or vomiting. This new study looked at whether achalasia raises the risk of esophageal cancer.

Researchers used a large database from across the U.S. to study over 7,800 people with achalasia. They compared them to people with another digestive condition, celiac disease. They found that the risk of esophageal cancer was nearly three times higher in people with achalasia. Still, the total number of cases was low—only about 1 in 200 developed cancer over 3 years.

The study also looked at Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that can lead to cancer. About 3 out of every 100 people with achalasia developed Barrett’s. This was also higher than in the comparison group.

Whether people had surgery or a newer treatment (POEM) didn’t seem to change the risk of Barrett’s esophagus.

If you have achalasia, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about ongoing checkups and cancer screening.

Even though the overall cancer risk is low, this study suggests doctors may need to follow people with achalasia more closely, using endoscopy to check for changes in the esophagus.

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Dr. Harsh J Shah

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Dr Harsh Shah - GI & HPB Oncosurgeon in India
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