Kim Kardashian has revealed that she has been diagnosed with esophagitis, a condition involving inflammation of the oesophagus that has taken on a deeply personal significance because of her father’s death from oesophageal cancer.
The 45-year-old reality television star disclosed the diagnosis in the trailer for the upcoming eighth season of “The Kardashians.” In the footage, Kardashian is shown in a hospital bed while discussing her condition.
According to E! News, someone off-camera asks Kardashian whether the condition is the same one that killed her father, Robert Kardashian. She responds that it is.
The diagnosis is particularly significant for Kardashian because Robert Kardashian died from oesophageal cancer in 2003 at the age of 59. His death came after a short illness and had a lasting effect on his family.
Robert Kardashian was best known publicly as a lawyer and as the father of Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Rob Kardashian, whom he had with Kris Jenner.
Esophagitis occurs when the tissue lining the oesophagus becomes inflamed or irritated. The condition can have different causes, including acid reflux, certain infections, medications and other forms of irritation. The severity and treatment depend on the underlying cause.
While esophagitis itself is not oesophageal cancer, some forms of long-term inflammation and damage to the oesophagus can contribute to complications. One of those complications is Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition associated with an increased risk of developing oesophageal cancer.
That connection helps explain why Kardashian’s diagnosis carries an added emotional weight. Her father’s experience with the disease makes any condition affecting the oesophagus more than a routine health concern for her and her family.
The trailer does not provide detailed information about what caused Kardashian’s esophagitis, how long she has experienced symptoms, or what treatment she is receiving. It also does not establish that her diagnosis will develop into cancer.
Her comments instead offer a brief glimpse into a health concern that is likely to be explored further when the new season of “The Kardashians” airs. For Kardashian, the diagnosis also brings back memories of a father whose death from oesophageal cancer occurred more than two decades ago.
Esophageal and oesophageal cancer affect the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Early symptoms can overlap with less serious digestive conditions, which is one reason persistent swallowing difficulties, chest discomfort or other concerning symptoms should be assessed by a medical professional.
Kardashian has not publicly indicated in the trailer that she has been diagnosed with cancer. Her disclosed diagnosis is esophagitis, and the available footage does not provide evidence that she has oesophageal cancer.
