TOPLINE:
Esophageal Candida infection is linked to an 8.2-fold increased risk for esophageal cancer in patients with achalasia, according to results of a retrospective cohort study. Older age at diagnosis and male sex were also associated with an increased risk.
METHODOLOGY:
- Researchers conducted a study in of 234 patients with achalasia between January 1980 and May 2024 (median age at diagnosis, 45 years, 50% men), looking at the prevalence of Candida and its association with the risk for esophageal cancer for a median follow-up of 13 years.
- The primary outcomes were the prevalence of Candida infection and the development of esophageal cancer; diagnosis was made on the basis of endoscopy findings and confirmed through histologic examination.
- The risk for esophageal cancer was evaluated in 207 patients who had at least two…