Kim Kardashian opens up about health condition linked to family tragedy

K im Kardashian has revealed a new health diagnosis that has sparked concern within her family and revived memories of one of the most difficult chapters in their lives.

In a newly released trailer for Season 8 of The Kardashians, the SKIMS founder disclosed that she has been diagnosed with esophagitis, an inflammatory condition that affects the lining of the esophagus. While the condition is distinct from cancer, the diagnosis immediately struck an emotional chord because Kim’s father, famed attorney Robert Kardashian, died from esophageal cancer in 2003.

“I have something called esophagitis,” Kardashian says in the trailer while having her hair done . The preview then cuts to footage of the reality television star lying in a hospital bed as she undergoes a medical evaluation.

An off-camera voice asks a question that underscores the family’s concern: “Didn’t your father… isn’t it what he died of?” The moment visibly affects Kris Jenner, who struggles to contain her emotions. “I can’t, it makes me want to cry,” Jenner says in the trailer.

Treatment typically depends on the underlying cause

Although the footage does not provide details about the severity of Kardashian’s condition or what may have caused it, the diagnosis has prompted renewed attention to a disorder that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

According to the Mayo Clinic, esophagitis is inflammation of the tissue lining the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The condition can cause painful swallowing, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and discomfort in the upper digestive tract.

Common causes include acid reflux, infections, allergies, and irritation from certain medications. Treatment typically depends on the underlying cause and the extent of tissue damage. In some cases, untreated esophagitis can lead to complications such as dehydration, unintended weight loss, and narrowing or scarring of the esophagus.

Esophageal cancer and esophagitis are separate conditions

The diagnosis carries emotional significance beyond the medical details. Robert Kardashian , best known for his role as a member of O.J. Simpson’s defense team during the highly publicized murder trial of the 1990s, died at the age of 59 after battling esophageal cancer. His death came just weeks after his diagnosis, a reality that left a lasting impact on his children.

Kim’s sister, Khloé Kardashian, spoke candidly about that experience during an April 2025 episode of her Khloé in Wonder Land podcast. “My dad died really quickly,” Khloé recalled. “He had esophageal cancer and I think he died six or seven weeks after diagnosis.”

She explained that, at the time, she struggled to process both the speed of her father’s decline and the fact that he never fully discussed the terminal nature of his illness with his children. “I need someone to blame, so I’m gonna blame my dad, ’cause he didn’t tell me that it was terminal,” she said while reflecting on the anger and guilt she carried after his death.

Over time, Khloé said she found peace through openly discussing her grief, eventually reaching a point where she could remember her father with admiration rather than sadness. While Kim Kardashian’s diagnosis is not cancer, the connection to the same part of the body that was affected by her father’s illness explains why the news has resonated so strongly within the family.

Esophageal cancer and esophagitis are separate conditions. According to the Cleveland Clinic , esophageal cancer develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably within the esophagus and form tumors.