Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Esophageal cancer risk factors
Introduction
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.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]