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Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Obesity and esophageal cancer: GERD, Barrett´s esophagus, and molecular carcinogenic pathways
Francisco Schlottmann1, Nicolás H Dreifuss1, Marco G Patti2
1Department of Surgery, Hospital Alemán of Buenos Aires , Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Introduction:
Increases in the rates of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) have paralleled rises in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Despite not being fully understood, obesity-related EAC seems to have different carcinogenic pathways.
Areas Covered:
This comprehensive review will thoroughly evaluate the current literature, describing the underlying mechanisms that help understanding the strong association between obesity and esophageal cancer.
Expert Commentary:
The risk of esophageal cancer among obese individuals could be partially explained by several factors: high prevalence of GERD; linear association between central adiposity and Barrett´s esophagus development; low levels of adiponectin and high levels of leptin that alter cell proliferation processes; insulin-resistant state that creates a tumorigenesis environment; and changes in the esophageal microbiota due to unhealthy dietary habits that promote carcinogenesis. In addition, a large proportion of obese patients are undergoing sleeve gastrectomy which can worsen GERD or cause de novo reflux, esophagitis, and Barrett´s metaplasia.
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