Esophageal cancer risk factors

In the Second Expert Report of Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer a Global Perspective (WCRF/ACRF 2007), which comprehensively reviewed the existing hterature on various cancer risk factors of diet and physical activity, vitamin Bg was not included in the summary of conclusions, which was based on the Panel s interpretation of exposures to potential risk factors for cancer. In their systematic hterature reviews, the Panel judged that the evidence for esophageal cancer and vitamin Bg, obtained from a single case-control study only, was stiU sparse and limited (WCRF/ACRF 2007). The report made no mention of the association between vitamin Bg and other cancers. 

Esophageal cancer has been related to the use of alcohol and nitrosamines and possibly chewing betel nut (popular in parts of Asia). Other risk factors include a history of ingestion of alkaline corrosive agents, including lye. Nutritional deficiencies have also been linked to this type of malignancy. 

It should be noted that Barrett s esophagus also is eliminated by the PDT treatment to the extent of 70 to 100% in most patients, being replaced with normal squamous mucosa. While not a specific endpoint in the trial, PDT appears to be one of the few methods currently available to remove this acid-reflux-induced inflammatory process, a risk factor for developing esophageal cancer (from 0.5 to 1.9% of patients with Barrett s esophagus will progress to HGD, and up to 50% of patients with HGD will go on to esophageal cancer over a 3-year period. ... 

Brooks PJ, Enoch MA, Goldman D, Li TK, Yokoyama A. The alcohol flushing response an imrecognized risk factor for esophageal cancer from alcohol consumption. PLoS Med. 2009 6(3) e50. 

Gao C, Takezaki T, Wu J, Li Z, Wang J, et al. 2002. Interaction between cytochrome P-450 2E1 polymorphisms and environmental factors with risk of esophageal and stomach cancers in Chinese. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prevent. 11 29-34... 

Cancer is a term commonly used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. There are more than 100 different t3 pes of cancer, hence, the complexity of cancer treatment. It is the second leading cause of death worldwide after heart disease, and its risk and incidence increase with patient age (www. cancer.gov). In addition to genetic factors, enviromnental and nutritional factors play a main role in cancer etiology. In westernized countries, breast, prostate, and colon-rectum cancers predominate because diets are usually rich in animal-source foods and refined carbohydrates and deficient in plant foods. Conversely, in developing countries, where diets are largely based on cereal/starchy foods, esophageal, stomach, and liver cancers are more incident [127]. 

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