GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE: IS IT A CAUSATIVE FACTOR IN LARYNGEAL CANCER?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is an extremely common disorder and has seen an explosion in interest from both scientific communities and the general public, resulting in an abundance of misleading and even conflicting information. Previously published reports suggested that gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with laryngeal cancer, but today there are many publications which do not support this argument. However, gastroesophageal reflux disease may lead to esophageal and upper respiratory epithelial destruction causing Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, laryngitis, pharyngitis, eustachian tube abnormalities, chronic sinusitis, pneumonia and asthma. In this review, the link between the gastroesophageal reflux disease and laryngeal cancer is investigated.