Esophageal cancer risk factors
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]
Overview
Overview
Common risk factors in the development of esophageal cancer are tobacco smoking, alcohol, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Barrett’s esophagus.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
- There are a number of risk factors for esophageal cancer.
- Some subtypes of cancer are linked to particular risk factors:[1][2][3][4][5]
| Risk factor | Histological Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Adenocarcinoma | Squamous cell carcinoma | |
| Age over 60 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Male gender | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smoking | ✔ | ✔ |
| Alcohol Consumption | ✔ | ✔ |
| Obesity | ✔ | ✔ |
| Lye Ingestion | ✔ | |
| Nitrosamine in food | ✔ | |
| Plummer-Vinson syndrome | ✔ | |
| Tylosis or Howel-Evans syndrome | ✔ | |
| Radiation therapy | ✔ | |
| Gastroesophageal reflux disorder | ✔ | |
| Barrett’s esophagus | ✔ | |
| Achalasia | ✔ | |
Decreased risk
- Risk appears to be less in patients using aspirin or related drugs (NSAIDs).
- The role of helicobacter pylori in progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma is still uncertain, but, on the basis of population data, it may carry a protective effect. It is postulated that helicobacter pylori prevents chronic gastritis, which is a risk factor for reflux, which in turn is a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma.
- Diets high in cruciferous (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) and green and yellow vegetables and fruits are associated with a decreased risk of esophageal cancer.
References
References
- ↑ Corley DA, Kerlikowske K, Verma R, Buffler P. Protective association of aspirin/NSAIDs and esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gastroenterology 2003;124:47-56. PMID 12512029. See also NCI – “Esophageal Cancer (PDQ®): Prevention”.
- ↑ Wong A, Fitzgerald RC. Epidemiologic risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus and associated adenocarcinoma. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Jan;3(1):1-10. PMID 15645398
- ↑ Ye W, Held M, Lagergren J, Engstrand L, Blot WJ, McLaughlin JK, Nyren O. Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric atrophy: risk of adenocarcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004 Mar 3;96(5):388-96. PMID 14996860
- ↑ Nakajima S, Hattori T. Oesophageal adenocarcinoma or gastric cancer with or without eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in chronic atrophic gastritis patients: a hypothetical opinion from a systematic review. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Jul;20 Suppl 1:54-61. PMID 15298606
- ↑ NCI Prevention: Dietary Factors, based on Chainani-Wu N. Diet and oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal cancer. Nutr Cancer 2002;44:104-26. PMID 12734057.
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