Can Anemia Be a Prognostic Indicator to Scope for Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma?

Authors

Ryan Tam, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic MedicineFollow
Neha Narayanan, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic MedicineFollow
Evan Basha, Rochester General HospitalFollow
Joel Thompson, Rochester Regional HealthFollow

Author Credentials

Ryan Tam - Medical Student, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Elmira, NY

Neha Narayanan MS - Medical Student, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Elmira, NY

Evan Basha DO - Resident Physician, Rochester General Hospital Department of Radiology - Rochester, NY

Joel Thompson MD - Attending Physician, Rochester Regional Health Department of Radiology - Rochester, NY

Author ORCID Identifier

Ryan Tam ORCID #: 0009-0004-0503-4514

Neha Narayanan ORCID #: 0009-0002-0178-7207

Abstract

Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma is a rapidly progressive disease that has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of 20%. It commonly presents with major symptoms of dysphagia and weight loss in addition to a long-standing history of reflux. As of now, screening for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is dependent on identifying risk factors which include a family history of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma or patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and at least one other risk factory for EAC such as age greater than 50 years, obesity or central adiposity, history of smoking, or male gender. Here, we present a case of an individual who presented with rapidly worsening dysphagia which was preceded by early anemia. We hope this case presents anemia as a crucial factor that would warrant screening patients with early complaints of dysphagia or weight loss for esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Recommended Citation

Tam R, Narayanan N, Basha E, Thompson J. Can Anemia Be a Prognostic Indicator to Scope for Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma?. Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery. 2025; 5(2). doi: 10.53785/2769-2779.1273.