Skip to main content

Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Manifestation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Gastrointestinal Cancer
  • 379 Accesses

Abstract

Esophageal cancers are generally classified as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC). Both histopathological types have a similar clinical manifestation, but different characteristics, including tumor location and risk factors. For most of the twentieth century, SCC predominated; however, recently, the incidence of ADC arising from Barrett’s esophagus (BE) has dramatically increased in Western countries. However, SCC is still the main histopathological type in most countries; and SCC, especially, comprises more than 90% of all cases of esophageal cancer in Eastern Asian countries, including Korea, Japan, and China. The epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical manifestation of SCC and ADC of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) will be reviewed here.

Gwang Ha Kim is the lead author of this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71:209–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Thrift AP. The epidemic of oesophageal carcinoma: where are we now? Cancer Epidemiol. 2016;41:88–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kurtom S, Kaplan BJ. Esophagus and gastrointestinal junction yumors. Surg Clin North Am. 2020;100:507–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Engel LS, Chow WH, Vaughan TL, Gammon MD, Risch HA, Stanford JL, et al. Population attributable risks of esophageal and gastric cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003;95:1404–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Iribarren C, Tekawa IS, Sidney S, Friedman GD. Effect of cigar smoking on the risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer in men. N Engl J Med. 1999;340:1773–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Randi G, Scotti L, Bosetti C, Talamini R, Negri E, Levi F, et al. Pipe smoking and cancers of the upper digestive tract. Int J Cancer. 2007;121:2049–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Tuyns AJ, Pequignot G, Abbatucci JS. Oesophageal cancer and alcohol consumption; importance of type of beverage. Int J Cancer. 1979;23:443–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Brown LM, Hoover R, Gridley G, Schoenberg JB, Greenberg RS, Silverman DT, et al. Drinking practices and risk of squamous-cell esophageal cancer among black and white men in the United States. Cancer Causes Control. 1997;8:605–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Domper Arnal MJ, Ferrandez Arenas A, Lanas AA. Esophageal cancer: risk factors, screening and endoscopic treatment in Western and eastern countries. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21:7933–43.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Wheeler JB, Reed CE. Epidemiology of esophageal cancer. Surg Clin North Am. 2012;92:1077–87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Steevens J, Schouten LJ, Goldbohm RA, van den Brandt PA. Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and risk of subtypes of oesophageal and gastric cancer: a prospective cohort study. Gut. 2010;59:39–48.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Prabhu A, Obi KO, Rubenstein JH. The synergistic effects of alcohol and tobacco consumption on the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2014;109:822–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sandler RS, Nyren O, Ekbom A, Eisen GM, Yuen J, Josefsson S. The risk of esophageal cancer in patients with achalasia. A population-based study. JAMA. 1995;274:1359–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Appelqvist P, Salmo M. Lye corrosion carcinoma of the esophagus: a review of 63 cases. Cancer. 1980;45:2655–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Islami F, Boffetta P, Ren JS, Pedoeim L, Khatib D, Kamangar F. High-temperature beverages and foods and esophageal cancer risk--a systematic review. Int J Cancer. 2009;125:491–524.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Chu FS, Li GY. Simultaneous occurrence of fumonisin B1 and other mycotoxins in moldy corn collected from the People’s Republic of China in regions with high incidences of esophageal cancer. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1994;60:847–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Cross AJ, Freedman ND, Ren J, Ward MH, Hollenbeck AR, Schatzkin A, et al. Meat consumption and risk of esophageal and gastric cancer in a large prospective study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106:432–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Mark SD, Qiao YL, Dawsey SM, Wu YP, Katki H, Gunter EW, et al. Prospective study of serum selenium levels and incident esophageal and gastric cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000;92:1753–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Abnet CC, Lai B, Qiao YL, Vogt S, Luo XM, Taylor PR, et al. Zinc concentration in esophageal biopsy specimens measured by x-ray fluorescence and esophageal cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005;97:301–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Enzinger PC, Mayer RJ. Esophageal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2003;349:2241–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Lindor NM, McMaster ML, Lindor CJ, Greene MH. Concise handbook of familial cancer susceptibility syndromes - second edition. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2008:1–93.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang HZ, Jin GF, Shen HB. Epidemiologic differences in esophageal cancer between Asian and Western populations. Chin J Cancer. 2012;31:281–6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Far AE, Aghakhani A, Hamkar R, Ramezani A, Pishbigar HF, Mirmomen S, et al. Frequency of human papillomavirus infection in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Iranian patients. Scand J Infect Dis. 2007;39:58–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Yousef F, Cardwell C, Cantwell MM, Galway K, Johnston BT, Murray L. The incidence of esophageal cancer and high-grade dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Epidemiol. 2008;168:237–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Lagergren J, Bergstrom R, Lindgren A, Nyren O. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux as a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. N Engl J Med. 1999;340:825–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kubo A, Corley DA. Body mass index and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus or gastric cardia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006;15:872–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Rubenstein JH, Taylor JB. Meta-analysis: the association of oesophageal adenocarcinoma with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2010;32:1222–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Sampliner RE. Practice guidelines on the diagnosis, surveillance, and therapy of Barrett’s esophagus. The Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Am J Gastroenterol. 1998;93:1028–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Hvid-Jensen F, Pedersen L, Drewes AM, Sorensen HT, Funch-Jensen P. Incidence of adenocarcinoma among patients with Barrett’s esophagus. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:1375–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Cook MB, Kamangar F, Whiteman DC, Freedman ND, Gammon MD, Bernstein L, et al. Cigarette smoking and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction: a pooled analysis from the international BEACON consortium. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2010;102:1344–53.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Tramacere I, Pelucchi C, Bagnardi V, Rota M, Scotti L, Islami F, et al. A meta-analysis on alcohol drinking and esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma risk. Ann Oncol. 2012;23:287–97.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Turati F, Tramacere I, La Vecchia C, Negri E. A meta-analysis of body mass index and esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. Ann Oncol. 2013;24:609–17.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. El-Serag HB, Mason AC, Petersen N, Key CR. Epidemiological differences between adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus and adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia in the USA. Gut. 2002;50:368–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Sweed MR, Edmonson D, Cohen SJ. Tumors of the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, and stomach. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2009;25:61–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Liao LM, Vaughan TL, Corley DA, Cook MB, Casson AG, Kamangar F, et al. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use reduces risk of adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction in a pooled analysis. Gastroenterology. 2012;142:442–52 e5; quiz e22–3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Schatz RA, Rockey DC. Gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastrointestinal tract malignancy: natural history, management, and outcomes. Dig Dis Sci. 2017;62:491–501.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Meltzer CC, Luketich JD, Friedman D, Charron M, Strollo D, Meehan M, et al. Whole-body FDG positron emission tomographic imaging for staging esophageal cancer comparison with computed tomography. Clin Nucl Med. 2000;25:882–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Chun, H.J., Park, S.J., Lim, Y.J., Song, S.Y. (2023). Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Manifestation. In: Gastrointestinal Cancer. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0815-8_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0815-8_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-99-0814-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-99-0815-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics