Esophageal cancer causes genetic changes in patients, study reveals

Genetic changes in Barrett's esophagus cells can be a precursor to esophageal cancer years before it develops, according to a new study. The study was conducted by a group of researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the findings were published in the journal “Nature Communications”.

The study displays significant changes which incorporate realigning of large chunks of DNA and affects both the copies of a tumor-suppressing gene named TP53. The study compares the mutation and changes in DNA between those in whom cancer progressed to the cancerous stage and in those where cancer stays in the benign state. Although the ultimate goal of this is to find a better way to diagnose and screen for esophageal cancer.

According to Dr Thomas Paulson as per the research, most of the patients who got diagnosed with esophageal cancer got hit by both genes. The genes we get are a set of two from both our parents. The patients in which one of the genes is affected don’t proceed to cancerous stages that often. In rare cases, the patient moves to the cancer stage. But patients who get affected by both sets of genes get affected by cancer more prominently.


For people with long term acid reflux problems, Barrett’s esophagus creates a new lining in the esophagus which combats the damages caused by reflex. Although DNA mutations occur there yet most people won’t need any kind of treatment for their Barrett’s esophagus which will remain benign and stable.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is a stage in which almost 5% of the patients reach cancer in BE. Only 20% of patients are said to survive in the past five years. If you reach that stage your treatment options become limited but if the tumor is found in the early stages. Like when it is microscopic, you have a plethora of treatment options available which can suppress and maybe even cure you.