Kim Kardashian has esophagitis: What is it, when to see the doctor, and how is it different from esophageal cancer that killed her father?

Kim Kardashian has been diagnosed with esophagitis, an inflammation of the esophagus. The reality star revealed this during the latest trailer for Season 8 of The Kardashians.

The diagnosis has attracted particular attention because Kardashian's father, Robert Kardashian, died from esophageal cancer in 2003 at the age of 59.

In the trailer released on September 17, Kardashian, 45, is shown discussing her diagnosis while getting her hair done. She says she has “something called esophagitis.” Another scene shows her in a hospital bed while an off-camera voice asks whether the condition was what her father died from. Kardashian responds, “Yeah.”


However, esophagitis and esophageal cancer are two different medical conditions.

So, what exactly is esophagitis, and how does it differ from esophageal cancer?

What is esophagitis?

Esophagitis is swelling and irritation, or inflammation, of the tissues lining the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The condition can make swallowing painful or difficult and may cause chest pain.

There are several possible causes of esophagitis. These include stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, infections, certain medicines and allergies. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can cause repeated exposure to stomach acid and ongoing inflammation of the esophageal lining.

Some medicines can also cause esophagitis if they remain in contact with the esophageal lining for too long. Mayo Clinic notes that the risk can increase when pills are swallowed with little or no water or taken while lying down.

What are the symptoms of esophagitis?

Symptoms can vary depending on the cause, but common symptoms include:

* Difficulty swallowing

* Painful swallowing

* Chest pain

* Heartburn

* Food getting stuck in the esophagus

If left untreated, esophagitis can sometimes lead to complications such as scarring or narrowing of the esophagus, difficulty moving food and liquids into the stomach, dehydration and unhealthy weight loss.

What is esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer is fundamentally different from esophagitis.

It occurs when cancerous cells in the esophagus multiply uncontrollably and form tumors. The Cleveland Clinic notes that esophageal cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages.

When symptoms do appear, they can include:

* Difficulty swallowing

* Unintentional weight loss

* Persistent heartburn

* Chest pain

* Chronic cough

* Hoarseness

* Pain in the throat, back or behind the breastbone

* Vomiting or coughing up blood

The two main types of esophageal cancer are **adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma**.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of esophageal cancer in the US and generally develops in the lower part of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the cells lining the esophagus and more commonly affects the upper and middle sections.

Is esophagitis the same as esophageal cancer?

No. Esophagitis is not esophageal cancer. Esophagitis describes inflammation or irritation of the esophageal lining, while esophageal cancer involves uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and tumor formation.

The two conditions can, however, be connected in certain circumstances. For example, long-term acid reflux can repeatedly damage the esophagus. That damage can sometimes result in **Barrett's esophagus**, a condition in which the cells lining the esophagus change. Barrett's esophagus is associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.

That does not mean that someone diagnosed with esophagitis will develop cancer.

Why did Kim Kardashian's diagnosis raise concerns about her father?

The concern surrounding Kardashian's diagnosis is largely tied to her family history. Robert Kardashian was a prominent attorney who was part of O.J. Simpson's legal defense team during his 1995 trial. He died from esophageal cancer in 2003 at 59.

Kim Kardashian has previously spoken publicly about losing her father at a young age. In a tribute marking the anniversary of his death, she wrote that she hoped he was “so proud of all of us” and said that she and her siblings continued to miss him.

That family history helps explain the emotional reaction shown in the *Kardashians* trailer. But the trailer does not indicate that Kardashian has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, nor does it provide details about the cause or severity of her esophagitis.

When should esophageal symptoms be checked?

Persistent difficulty swallowing, worsening heartburn, unexplained weight loss, chest pain or other ongoing symptoms involving the esophagus should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

These symptoms can have many causes and **do not automatically mean cancer**. But persistent symptoms may require investigation, particularly when they affect eating or swallowing. Cleveland Clinic notes that doctors may use tests such as an upper endoscopy and biopsy when investigating suspected esophageal cancer.

For Kardashian, the full details of her diagnosis and treatment are expected to be explored when the new season of *The Kardashians* airs.

For now, the key distinction is straightforward: **esophagitis means inflammation of the esophagus; esophageal cancer means cancerous growth in the esophagus. They are not the same diagnosis.