• Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis

Write For Us

What's Hot

How Big Are Kidney Stones?

February 3, 2021
Dyslexia

What Do Words Look Like to a Dyslexic Person?

February 3, 2021
Gallstones without a gallbladder image

Can you Get Gallstones without a Gallbladder?

July 12, 2022
Facebook Twitter YouTube
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
  • Write For Us
Facebook Twitter YouTube
  • Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
Home » Rare Diseases » Achalasia » How Are Achalasia and Esophageal Cancer Related?

How Are Achalasia and Esophageal Cancer Related?

Amina Ahmad, MS, BiotechnologyBy Amina Ahmad, MS, Biotechnology3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Contents Hide
1 Can achalasia cause esophageal cancer?
2 Achalasia risks esophageal cancer
3 Reducing the risk of esophageal cancer by treating achalasia

Can achalasia cause esophageal cancer?

Achalasia is a rare disorder affecting the esophagus. In this condition, the lower esophageal sphincter or the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus is not able to completely relax. This leads to a difficulty in swallowing which ultimately results in the backup of food.

It is observed that patients suffering from achalasia are at a 50 times higher risk of acquiring esophageal cancer compared to those who do not have achalasia. Doctors suggest that if achalasia is not timely treated, it can lead to the development of esophageal cancer. An estimate suggests that esophageal cancer affects more than 4,50,000 persons across the globe and ranks on number eight in the list of most common cancers worldwide. In some cases, esophageal cancer develops after 10-20 years of the onset of achalasia symptoms.

Achalasia risks esophageal cancer

The association of achalasia and esophageal carcinoma was first reported in the year 1872. In a research publication, titled “Does achalasia predispose to cancer of the esophagus?”, it was stated that achalasia leads to an increase in infectious bacterial growth. The continuous retention of food leads to some chemical irritations that culminate in chronic esophagitis. This makes the epithelium more sensitive to carcinogens and may lead to the development of cancer of the esophagus.

In another research publication, titled “Achalasia and esophageal cancer: risks and links”, it was stated that in a Dutch study, it was found that more than 8% of 331 patients with achalasia who were previously treated with pneumatic dilation developed Barrett’s esophagus over a period of up to 25 years. It was also found that the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) in patients with achalasia was more than 21 cases per 1,00,000 patients.  It was concluded in the study that achalasia is a risk factor for EA as most cases are associated with Barrett’s esophagus, due to uncontrolled chronic acid reflux resulting from achalasia.

Reducing the risk of esophageal cancer by treating achalasia

There are no specific screening methods for patients suffering from esophageal cancer developed after prolonged achalasia. The diagnosis of achalasia is important to detect severe conditions associated with it such as Barrett’s esophagus, heartburn or uncontrolled chronic acid reflux, etc. When dysplagia develops, several diagnostic tests are recommended such as barium-swallow, manometric analysis, endoscopic analysis, etc. These tests help in defining the severity of the condition and confirm achalasia presence.

If a patient’s condition is deteriorating continuously, there might be chances of esophageal cancer developing inside the body. These patients have decreased esophageal motility and lack of peristalsis may lead to prolong exposure of the esophageal mucosa to acid. To determine the degree or extent of esophageal cancer, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), positron emission tomography (PET), etc are used as confirmatory tests. Biopsy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis of esophageal cancer.

After these tests are done, proper treatment should be given to the patient to rule out the risk of esophageal cancer. Treatments such as pneumatic dilatation, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), laparoscopic Heller myotomy, etc are best recommended during achalasia. If achalasia is diagnosed at a very early stage or if the patient cannot undergo surgical procedures, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are given to the patient as a temporary treatment method. Ifthe esophageal cancer is detected in the test, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, esophagogastrectomy, etc are recommended procedures to treat the condition.

Amina Ahmad, MS, Biotechnology
  • LinkedIn

Amina Ahmad is a bio-technologist and aims to deliver a positive contribution in healthcare industry by spreading health awareness in general public. She completed Masters in Technology (Biotechnology) from IMS Engineering College (AKTU). Then, she moved to Jamia Millia Islamia, a technological University in New Delhi, where she worked in the Research Division of Life Sciences Department as a researcher. She was also associated with Advancells, a stem cell company, as a Research Associate and laboratory expert in the past. Currently, Amina is associated with DiseaseFix as a Research Associate and medical content writer. With DiseaseFix, she aspires to educate people about problems associated with their health by helping them understand the disease basics and available treatment options in this new technologically advanced age of the medical arena. Her expertise includes nano-biotechnology, antibacterial benefits of plants, and neglected diseases.

Follow-Up Reads

Real Life Experiences About Coping With Cancer

April 22, 2021
Vomiting Blood

Vomiting Blood (Haematemesis): Why Do People Throw Up Blood?

April 21, 2021

Esophageal Cancer: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Stages, Surgery, Prevention, Survival

September 27, 2019

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Best Practices for staying Healthy: Strategies & Tactics
doctor with mask Best Practices for staying Healthy

Treatment for COPD in the Elderly Explained

By Kapil Sharma5 Mins Read

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and debilitating condition that affects the lungs,…

Lemon Juice Glass

Top 10 Home Remedies to Pass a Kidney Stone in 24 Hours

February 20, 2023
Runny Nose

Spike in H3N2 Influenza Cases in Delhi-NCR

February 16, 2023
Newborn child

Healing From a Stillbirth or Infant Loss: A Guide for Parents

February 14, 2023
Latest Posts
Blue ceramic coffee cup

Home Detox and Cleansing Trends

June 2, 2023
CT Scan

Mastering the Art of Reading CT Scans for Cancer Diagnosis: Key Tips and Techniques

June 2, 2023
Depressant Effects

Is Alcohol a Stimulant: Separating Fact From Fiction

June 2, 2023
person showing magnifying eyeglasses

10 Essential Medical Equipment for Every Healthcare Facility

June 1, 2023
Athlete tying shoe

Eight Powerful Ways of Improving Athletic Performance

June 1, 2023
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
About Us
About Us

DiseaseFix is primarily known as an online publisher of disease-centric medical information related to human health and well-being. The information is published as disease modules accessible to users from across the world free of cost.

Email Us: contact@diseasefix.com

Our Picks
Breast Cancer

Moving Forward After Breast Cancer Surgery

December 30, 2022
Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

April 23, 2021

Real Life Experiences About Coping With Cancer

April 22, 2021
Company

Disease Index

About Us

Our Team

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact Us

Write For Us

 

Facebook Twitter YouTube
© 2023 Diseasefix. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.