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Video

Head and Neck Surgery

(A621) Risk of Head and Neck Cancers from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Single Institution Study

Monday, October 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Location: OTO EXPO, Posters

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Nicolas J. Jo, BS

    Medical Student
    Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
    Boca Raton, Florida, United States

    • Author(s)

  • Garrett D. Forman

    Medical Student
    University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
    Lake Mary, Florida, United States

    • Presenting Author(s)

  • Janice Huang, M.S

    MD/PhD Student
    University of Miami
    Brooklyn, New York, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Elizabeth J. Franzmann, MD

    Professor of Otolaryngology
    Univ of Miami Dept of OTO D48
    Miami, Florida, United States

Disclosure(s):
Nicolas J. Jo, BS: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Garrett D. Forman: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Janice Huang, M.S: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Elizabeth J. Franzmann, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: Despite esophageal adenocarcinoma’s well-established risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the risk of developing upper-aerodigestive tract cancer (UADT) is less understood. This study aims to characterize the risk of developing UADT cancers from GERD

Methods: A retrospective cohort study investigated the risk of UADT cancers among patients with GERD. The study analyzed de-identified patient data (>18 years old) from 27,457 GERD and 262,140 non-GERD patients at the UM Miller School of Medicine, in outpatient clinics between 2010-2024. Data broker request retrieved data including patients with ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes of GERD or GERD-like symptoms, cancer diagnosis and type, diagnosis year, and reflux medication use. The independent variable was GERD or GERD-like symptom diagnosis, and the dependent variable and outcome was defined as development of UADT cancers diagnosis according to patient charts during the study timeframe. Preliminary analyses have calculated incidence rates and relative risk of various head and neck cancers among GERD patients

Results: Preliminary findings showed an overall head/neck cancer incidence: 33 per 100,000 GERD patients annually. The relative risk of developing head/neck cancer was 4.19 (95% CI 3.41–5.10). In pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx), RR = 4.60 (95% CI 3.54–5.97). In the oral/nasal cavity (Lip/oral Cavity; nasal cavity; ethmoid, paranasal, & maxillary sinus) RR = 4.11 (95% CI 2.83–5.98). In the larynx (supraglottis, subglottis, glottis). RR = 9.71 (95% CI 4.36–21.61). In the salivary gland, RR = 0.75 (95% CI 0.23–2.42)

Conclusions: The study showed an increased UADT cancer risk among GERD patients, with a potential protective effect for salivary gland cancers. These preliminary results require further analysis, including multivariate investigation and controlling for medication use, alcohol consumption, and smoking history. This research contributes to understanding the complex relationship between GERD and UADT cancer, potentially informing future GERD management strategies by highlighting risks associated with the condition