Can benign esophageal disease become malignant?

by Specialist

Common benign esophageal diseases include, smooth muscle tumors, polyps, lipomas, papillomas, cardia laxa, and reflux esophagitis, most of which are not associated with malignant esophageal cancer.

But there is a specific type of esophagitis, reflux esophagitis, which, if left untreated for a long time, can lead to a complication called Barrett’s esophagus (BE), and Barrett’s esophagus has been associated with esophageal cancer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition in which acid-containing gastric contents reflux into the esophagus, resulting in esophageal mucosal damage and chronic inflammation. If damage to the esophageal mucosa occurs during this process, it is called reflux esophagitis. It can develop in both men and women, and is more common in middle-aged and elderly people.

Reflux esophagitis is associated with dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, overeating, smoking, and lying flat after meals. The most common symptoms are acid reflux and a burning sensation behind the sternum, commonly known as “heartburn”.

For more information about GERD, please read:

Basics of heartburn and GERD

Barrett’s esophagus

Gastroesophageal reflux disease may result in a specific change in the structure of the esophagus – the normal “squamous epithelium” of the mucous membrane lining the esophagus becomes “columnar epithelium”, which This condition is called “Barrett’s esophagus”.

Studies show that about 10% of people with Barrett’s esophagus may develop esophageal cancer usually adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. And the risk of adenocarcinoma is 20 times higher in people with Barrett’s esophagus than in the normal population.

It is important to note that Barrett’s esophagus is highly prevalent in Europe and the United States, with a relatively low prevalence of about 0.06% to 1% in the Chinese population. The risk of progression of Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma is increased by factors such as being male and being overweight.