Esophageal cancer is cancer arising in the esophagus, the tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. The exact causes are not known, but according to the American Cancer Society, ACS, there are certain risk factors strongly associated with the development of esophageal cancer.
Age
According to the National Cancer Institute, NCI, age is the main risk factor in esophageal cancer. Most people develop the cancer after 65 years of age. According to the ACS, less than 15 percent of cases occur in people below the age 55.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
The NCI reports that smokers are more likely to develop cancer of the esophagus than non-smokers. The risk also increases for other methods of tobacco use.
Alcohol
Heavy drinking, says the NCI, increases the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus. This risk increases when among those who smoke and use alcohol.
Gender
Being male increases the chances of cancer of the esophagus. According to the NCI, men are three times more likely to develop cancer of the esophagus than women.
Diet
The National Institutes of Health or NIH reports that poor nutrition is a risk factor in cancer of the esophagus. The NCI specifically cites a diet low in vegetables and fruits as increasing the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus. Over eating which leads to obesity also increases the risks of cancer of the esophagus. Frequent drinking of very hot liquids is also mentioned as a possible risk factor.
Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, GERD
Reflux disease increases the risk of developing cancer in the lower part of the esophagus. Acid reflux from the stomach into the lower part of the esophagus, seen in GERD, damages the lining of the esophagus which may lead to the development of cancer. The ACS estimates that this increases the risk of cancer by about 16 times.
Barrett Esophagus
The lower part of the esophagus, exposed to acid from the stomach in reflux disease, can transform to an abnormal form called Barrett esophagus. This abnormality, says the ACS, increases the risks of cancer 30 to 125 times.
Obesity
Obesity increases the chances of esophageal cancer. The ACS highlights the link between obesity and reflux disease as a possible factor in the development of esophageal cancer in the obese.
Workplace Hazards
Exposure to certain fumes and chemicals has been associated with the development of cancer of the esophagus. Solvents used in dry cleaning are particularly mentioned by the ACS as increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.
Other Risk Factors
Other risk factors mentioned by the ACS include achalasia, tylosis, esophageal webs, chemical burns as that caused by drinking lye in childhood and the presence of other cancers elsewhere in the body.
