Esophageal Cancer: Risk, Prevention & Screening

The following factors increase the risk for developing esophageal cancer:

• Age

  Esophageal cancer is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 60.

• Gender

  Esophageal cancer is more commonly diagnosed in men than in women. This gender gap is narrowing, however, as esophageal adenocarcinoma is becoming more common among women.

• Smoking & Alcohol Use

  Use of tobacco in any form can increase a person's chance of developing esophageal cancer, and squamous cancer in particular. The more a person smokes and the longer one smokes, the greater the risk of esophageal squamous cancer. Long-term and/or heavy alcohol use is another risk factor for this kind of cancer. The combination of smoking with long-term and/or heavy use of alcohol is the most significant risk factor for esophageal squamous cell cancer.

• Barrett's Esophagus

  This condition, caused by long-term reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus (GERD), increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. (For more information about this condition, visit the Barrett's esophagus section of this cancer information overview.)

• Race

  Esophageal squamous cell cancer is almost twice as common among blacks as whites, but squamous cell adenocarcinoma is much more common in white men than in people of other races.

• Obesity

  Being overweight is a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma.

• Ingestion of Lye

  Accidental ingestion of cleaning liquids containing lye may increase a person's chances of esophageal squamous cancer, especially if ingested as a child.

Other risk factors for esophageal cancer include:

• A diet that is low in fruits, vegetables, and certain vitamins and minerals.
• Achalasia, a condition in which the muscular valve between the esophagus and the stomach does not open, leading to the collection of food at the base of the esophagus and increasing the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.
• Tylosis, a very rare inherited disease that causes excess skin growth on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. People with this disease have a high risk of developing esophageal squamous cell cancer and should be screened regularly.
• Abnormal bands of tissue (called esophageal webs) that extend inward into the esophagus, making it difficult to swallow

Prevention & Screening

Although there is no sure way to prevent esophageal cancer, avoiding smoking and alcohol is the best way to reduce your risk. Some studies suggest that drinking green tea may reduce the risk of squamous cell esophageal cancer, especially in nonsmokers. Additionally, a diet high in fruits and vegetables may lower a person's risk of developing esophageal cancer. Some experts believe that controlling acid reflux in people with GERD will reduce the chances of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus developing.

When diagnosed early, the chance for successful treatment of esophageal cancer is greater. If you have certain risk factors for esophageal cancer, particularly Barrett's esophagus, you may benefit from having a regular screening endoscopy every two to three years. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center offers screening endoscopy for esophageal cancer.