Patients with achalasia and prior esophageal Candida infection are at over eightfold increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.

A recent study investigated this association and found that esophageal Candida infection is a significant risk factor for esophageal cancer, particularly in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. The study recommends regular endoscopic monitoring for early detection of esophageal cancer in patients with achalasia, especially in those with documented Candida infections, to improve outcomes and guide future preventative strategies.