[Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease and Malignant Progression - Equal Risk for Men and Women?] / Gastroösophageale Refluxerkrankung und maligne Transformation ­ für Männer und Frauen ein gleich großes Risiko?

ABSTRACT

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is highly prevalent in the Western world. Patients with GERD have a 10-fold increased risk to develop a Barrett's esophagus. Patients with Barrett's esophagus have a higher risk for an esophageal adenocarcinoma. Men have more severe reflux with a higher grade of inflammation and acid reflux. This seems to be the reason why men develop a Barrett's esophagus more frequently - the risk is approximately 2-3-fold and the risk for an esophageal adenocarcinoma is even 3-6 times higher.