Studies have found a number of factors that may increase the risk of esophageal cancer. These risk factors are outlined below:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): In some people, acid can reflex from the stomach into the esophagus. This disease is called Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Clinical data show that people with GERD have a 2-16 times higher risk of getting adenocarcinoma of the esophagus than those without GERD.
Barrett's esophagus: Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the squamous cells that usually line the esophagus are replaced with glandular cells when reflux of stomach acid into the lower esophagus continues for a long period of time.
Achalasia: This is a disease in which the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus does not relax properly. As the result, food has trouble in passing into the stomach and tends to collect in the esophagus, causing the esophagus above this muscle to become dilated. People with achalasia have a risk of esophageal cancer that is at least 15 times higher than the normal risk.
Stomach bacteria: Epidemiological surveys demonstrate patients treated to get rid of H. pylori often get adenocarcinoma of the esophagus more often than expected.
Injury to the esophagus: Chemicals such as lye may cause a severe chemical burn in the esophagus. The scar tissue can make the esophagus very narrow after the injury heals. People with these narrow esophageal passages have a higher rate of the squamous cell type of esophageal cancer after several years.
Workplace exposures: Clinical surveys show exposure to chemical fumes, such as solvents used for dry cleaning, may lead to an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Tobacco and alcohol
Diet: About 15% of esophageal cancer can be linked to a diet that is poor in fruits and vegetables.
Obesity
Gender: Men have a 3-fold higher rate of getting esophageal cancer than women.
Age: Most cases occur in those 65 years or older.
Who is at highest risk for Esophageal cancer ?
Studies have found a number of factors that may increase the risk of esophageal cancer. These risk factors are outlined below:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease ({{ORGANIZATION}}): In some people, acid can reflex from the stomach into the esophagus. This disease is called Gastroesophageal reflux disease ({{ORGANIZATION}}). Clinical data show that people with {{ORGANIZATION}} have a 2-16 times higher risk of getting adenocarcinoma of the esophagus than those without {{ORGANIZATION}}.
{{NAME}}'s esophagus: {{NAME}}'s esophagus is a condition in which the squamous cells that usually line the esophagus are replaced with glandular cells when reflux of stomach acid into the lower esophagus continues for a long period of time.
{{NAME}}: This is a disease in which the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus does not relax properly. As the result, food has trouble in passing into the stomach and tends to collect in the esophagus, causing the esophagus above this muscle to become dilated. People with {{NAME}} have a risk of esophageal cancer that is at least 15 times higher than the normal risk.
Stomach bacteria: Epidemiological surveys demonstrate patients treated to get rid of H. pylori often get adenocarcinoma of the esophagus more often than expected.
Injury to the esophagus: Chemicals such as lye may cause a severe chemical burn in the esophagus. The scar tissue can make the esophagus very narrow after the injury heals. People with these narrow esophageal passages have a higher rate of the squamous cell type of esophageal cancer after several years.
Workplace exposures: Clinical surveys show exposure to chemical fumes, such as solvents used for dry cleaning, may lead to an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Tobacco and alcohol
Diet: About 15% of esophageal cancer can be linked to a diet that is poor in fruits and vegetables.
Obesity
Gender: Men have a 3-fold higher rate of getting esophageal cancer than women.
Age: Most cases occur in those 65 years or older.