University:
Stanford University
Course:
MED 101 | Human Anatomy
Academic year:

2023
Views:

21

Pages:

2
Author:

larbi43100

‭Causes of Esophageal cancer‬ ‭Certain etiologies of esophageal cancer are well documented (tobacco, alcohol,‬ ‭alcohol-smoking association, dietary habits), while others are still controversial.‬ ‭Alcohol‬‭-Excessive alcohol consumption is a recognized‬‭etiology.‬ ‭Neoplastic transformation is thought to be due to acetaldehyde from alcohol‬ ‭and nitrosamines from beer and cider (whiskey is more dangerous than wine‬ ‭or beer).‬ ‭Tobacco‬‭-Smoking is also an etiology‬ ‭recognized, mainly for cigarette smokers (the case of pipe or cigar smokers is‬ ‭still controversial). After stopping tobacco consumption, it takes around 15‬ ‭years for the risk to normalize. Opium smoke is also a risk factor.‬ ‭Alcohol‬‭and‬‭tobacco‬‭-The‬‭potentiation‬‭of‬‭the‬‭risk‬‭is‬‭then‬‭major:‬‭if‬‭the‬‭risk‬‭for‬ ‭a‬‭moderate‬‭consumer‬‭of‬‭alcohol‬‭and‬‭tobacco‬‭was‬‭calculated‬‭at‬‭1,‬‭the‬‭abusive‬ ‭and regular consumption of these products raises the risk to 155.‬ ‭Food‬‭-We know that nitrosamines have a‬ ‭carcinogenic potential on the esophagus. Very spicy foods also seem to be‬ ‭incriminated (fungal toxins from certain condiments). Finally, deficiencies in‬ ‭zinc, molybdenum, selenium or vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and B6 have been‬ ‭suspected by certain studies.‬ ‭Esophageal abnormalities‬‭-Esophageal dysplasias are‬‭indisputably‬ ‭precancerous lesions since 20% of them develop into a malignant tumor‬ ‭within 5 years. Achalasia, brachyesophagus, endobrachyesophagus and‬ ‭the megaesophagus can develop into cancer.‬ ‭Others‬‭-Thermal trauma (drinks that are too hot), ionizing‬‭radiation (for treatment of‬ ‭breast cancer for example), immunosuppression after organ transplantation and‬ ‭accidental or voluntary ingestion of caustics are‬ ‭etiologies of esophageal cancer. Some associations are also classic: Kelly-‬ ‭Patterson syndrome‬ ‭(sideropenic dysphagia with membranous fold of the cervical esophagus),‬ ‭tylosis (palmoplantar keratoderma). Celiac disease is also implicated in some‬ ‭studies, as well as obesity.‬