Kim Kardashian’s Dad Had It—Now She Gets Same Scary Diagnosis

Kim Kardashian has received another worrisome medical diagnosis.

The reality star was told she has a hiatal hernia while preparing for surgery to treat her esophagitis.

The news came during a doctor’s appointment shown in Thursday’s preview for next week’s episode of “The Kardashians.”

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Upon learning she had the condition, Kim told her doctor, “My dad had that.”

Her father, Robert Kardashian Sr., died of esophageal cancer in 2003.

Earlier in Thursday’s episode, Kris Jenner accompanied her daughter to the doctor’s appointment.

Kim explained that she was there to find out whether her esophagitis had improved with medication.

Her doctor was also examining her for a possible “pre-cancerous condition.”

During a confessional, Kim said, “I’m hopeful. It is what it is.”

She added, “They’re either going to say, ‘Hey, the irregularities have not gone away [with] the medication, and you need to have a piece of your esophagus removed,’ or they’re going to say, ‘The medication worked, and you don’t need the procedure … just continue on this medication.’”

“Obviously, I don’t want surgery, but I’ll do whatever’s necessary,” she said.

Kris, 71, also opened up about how “stressful” the situation has been.

Robert Kardashian Sr. died just eight weeks following his esophageal cancer diagnosis.

“So of course I’m scared. I don’t want to tell her I’m scared, but it’s very worrisome. We just pray for the best,” Kris said.

During the episode, which aired at the end of the Oct. 29 installment, Kim also revealed that she had undergone surgery to “cut out … irregularities” in her esophagus.

The SKIMS founder received her esophagitis diagnosis earlier in last week’s episode.

During a confessional, she said she had been “feeling a little off lately” and that her throat had been “killing [her].”

Kim admitted that she hadn’t “[told] too many people about” her symptoms because of her father’s medical history.

“[The diagnosis is] something that really hits home for me. I just don’t really want to go there with my dad having passed away from [esophageal cancer],” she said.

Esophagitis is inflammation of the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.

It can be caused by acid reflux, infection, or certain medications.

If left untreated, chronic esophagitis can lead to scarring, narrowing of the esophagus, or Barrett’s esophagus — a condition that increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

A hiatal hernia is a separate condition that often occurs alongside acid reflux.

When the stomach pushes through the diaphragm, it can allow stomach acid to flow more easily back into the esophagus.

This can worsen esophagitis and make it harder to treat with medication alone.

The Mayo Clinic notes that many people with hiatal hernias have no symptoms, but larger hernias can cause heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.

Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and medication to surgery in severe cases.

Robert Kardashian Sr. was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in June 2003.

He died eight weeks later, on Sept. 30, 2003, at age 59.

He was best known as O.J. Simpson’s defense attorney during the 1995 murder trial.

Kim was 22 when her father died.

She has spoken publicly about how his death shaped her approach to health and family.

In the episode, Kris Jenner expressed her fear about Kim’s condition.

“I think it’s just that Bob was diagnosed and gone so fast,” Kris said in a confessional.

“So of course I’m scared. I don’t want to tell her I’m scared, but it’s very worrisome.”

Kim’s surgery to remove irregularities in her esophagus has already taken place.

The upcoming episode will show whether the medication has worked or whether she needs further procedures.

The show does not specify what her long-term prognosis is.

Kim has not made additional public statements about her health beyond what was shown on the episode.

A representative for Kim did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new episode of “The Kardashians” airs next week on Hulu.

Fans have expressed concern for Kim on social media, with many noting the parallels to her father’s case.

Medical experts say that a hiatal hernia alone is not a cancer diagnosis, but it can be a risk factor when combined with chronic esophagitis.