Esophageal cancer risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]

## Overview

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Common risk factors in the development of esophageal cancer are tobacco smoking, alcohol, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Barrett's esophagus.

## Risk Factors

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* 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

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* 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

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1. ↑ 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".
2. ↑ 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
3. ↑ 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
4. ↑ 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
5. ↑ 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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