Asthma and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma

In many patients, asthma may be related to GERD (backwashing of acid and bile into the esophagus). It has been estimated that more than 80% of adult asthmatics have GERD. Many of the medications for asthma can relax the LES (lower esophageal sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus where it joins the stomach), thereby increasing the backwashing of stomach contents into the esophagus and ultimately into the airways of the lungs of the patients who use them. At least one study has shown that risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (cancer) is increased two to three times in patients who use asthma medications. Of course, if you have asthma, you may need these medications to help you breathe and should not stop using them without getting the advice of your doctor. You should, however, discuss with your doctor any heartburn symptoms or regurgitation (backwashing of acid into the esophagus, sometimes leading to a choking or coughing sensation at night), indigestion or other abdominal pain, bloating, hoarseness of your voice or problems with food sticking in the esophagus.