Kim Kardashian is revealing more about her recent health ordeal.
In the trailer for Season 8 of Hulu’s “The Kardashians” (Thursdays), the SKIMS co-founder revealed she’d been diagnosed with esophagitis, described by the Mayo Clinic as inflammation “of the tissues that line the esophagus.” Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, a burning sensation in the chest, and/or acid reflux. The news was particularly shocking as Kardashian's late father, Robert Kardashian Sr., died at age 59 in 2003 after battling esophageal cancer, a condition distinct from esophagitis.
The Oct. 29 episode of “The Kardashians” captures Kardashian, 46, filming Netflix’s upcoming comedy “The Fifth Wheel.” Kardashian− also a producer on the movie starring Fortune Feimster,
Nikki Glaser and Brenda Song – plays the part of a crasher, who interrupts a group of longtime friends’ getaway in Las Vegas.
On the set, Kardashian fights fatigue and a headache. "My throat is, like, killing me today," she shares while getting her hair styled.
Kardashian later receives her diagnosis on Zoom.
“So I’ve reviewed the images. I think you have a little bit of inflammation of the esophagus, and I think you have esophagitis,” a doctor informs her. “I would suggest starting a medication and then come for a procedure where we could look at it and we can determine what we’re dealing with and if we really need to do anything or not.”
In a confessional, Kardashian opens up about the medical issue and why it's been so difficult to process. “I haven’t really told too many people about this,” she tells producers, “just because I think it’s something that really hits home for me, and I just don’t really want to go there with my dad having passed away from esophagus cancer. Hopefully I can just take medication, and this will go away. But I just don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Robert Kardashian Sr. died in 2003, at 59, shortly following his diagnosis. He and Kris Jenner welcomed four children – Kourtney, Kim, Khloé and Robert – during their marriage from 1978–1991.
In a preview of the upcoming episode of “The Kardashians,” Kim Kardashian appears to prepare for surgery, accompanied by Jenner. While wearing a gown, Kardashian is transported in a hospital bed.
“The doctor said my esophagus has these irregularities, and I have to have them cut out,” Kardashian explains. “That’s the same thing my dad had.”
In 2019, UCLA Health honored the late attorney by opening the Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health center.
“Our family is proud to pay tribute to our father by partnering with UCLA Health to establish the Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health,” Kim Kardashian said at the time. “We hope to save lives and help the community for many years to come in honor of our father.”
Most recently, Kardashian marked her father’s birthday on Feb. 22, 2026, writing on Instagram beside home video footage: "Happy birthday Dad. I miss you so much every day."
She also marked his milestone birthday in an Instagram post shared on Feb 22, 2024.
“Happy Heavenly Birthday dad!” she captioned a black and white photo taken while skiing with her dad and Kourtney. “I can’t believe you would have been 80 years old today. If you were here we would be in Vail skiing together celebrating! I can’t ski without thinking of you. I’ll always remember the trips and memories you created for us and never ever take those moments for granted. God really blessed us with the most amazing thoughtful, patient, funny, charismatic, loving and kind dad. I sooo wish you were here to meet all of our babies and see the life we created but I know you’re somehow behind all of it. Thank you for being the best example of the purest love."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kim Kardashian reveals 'irregularities' on esophagus that need to be 'cut out'
