Long-term esophageal cancer risk in patients with primary achalasia: a prospective study.
Leeuwenburgh I, Scholten P, Alderliesten J et al.
Editor’s note: Achalasia is thought to be associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, presumably related to the stagnation of gastric juice and food within the relatively immotile esophagus, with secondary bacterial overgrowth and inflammation (Dis Esophagus 1998;11:239–47, Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2006;23:1197–203). However, the magnitude of the risk in patients with achalasia is uncertain, and is based on relatively small and retrospective studies (Dig Dis Sci 1984;29:1105–8, Dig Dis Sci 1993;38:1920–5, Gastrointest Endosc 1990;36:638–9, Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008;20:956–60, Chest 1992;102:1013–6).