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Esophageal Cancer: Risk Factors, Prevention, and Early Detection 

What is a risk factor?

A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. Risk factors for a certain type of cancer might include smoking, diet, family history, or other things. The exact cause of someone’s cancer may not be known. But risk factors can make it more likely for a person to have cancer.

Things you should know about risk factors for cancer:





Who is at risk for esophageal cancer?

Anyone can get esophageal cancer. But there are some factors that can increase your risk for it. These can include the following:

  • Older age. Your risk of esophageal cancer goes up as you get older.

  • Male gender. Men are more likely to get this cancer than women.

  • Tobacco use. The use of any type of tobacco increases your risk. This includes chewing tobacco and cigars.

  • Alcohol use. Drinking alcohol increases your risk. The more you drink, the higher your risk. The combination of drinking and smoking increases your risk much more than either one alone.

  • Reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or reflux happens when acid from your stomach comes up into your lower esophagus. This can irritate it. Some esophageal cancer cases are related to reflux. Still, most people who have reflux don’t get this cancer. 

  • Barrett's esophagus. If reflux goes on for a long time, it can cause the cells in the esophagus to change. This is called Barrett's esophagus. People with this condition are more likely to get esophageal cancer than those without it.

  • Obesity. People who are overweight have a higher risk.

  • Diet and nutrition. Studies show that diets high in processed meats and low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk. Drinking a lot of very hot beverages might also increase the risk.

  • Achalasia. This rare disease affects the muscles of the esophagus. It causes the opening between the esophagus and the stomach to be too tight. Food does not pass easily into the stomach. This can irritate the esophagus.

  • Tylosis. This rare, inherited disease causes changes in the cells that line your palms, soles, and esophagus.

  • Plummer-Vinson syndrome. This syndrome is linked with anemia, brittle fingernails, and esophageal irritation. Over time, this irritation can lead to cancer.

  • Having a history of certain other cancers. People who have had cancers of the head, neck, or lungs have a higher risk of esophageal cancer. This may be because these other cancers are also linked to tobacco use.

  • Exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace. People exposed to certain chemicals at work, such as dry cleaners, might have a higher risk.

  • Lye exposure. Drinking a lye-based cleaner causes chemical burns in the esophagus. The resulting scars can narrow parts of the esophagus. Many years later, it can lead to cancer.

What are your risk factors?

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors. Ask what you can do about them. Some risk factors, such as your age, are not under your control. But there are some things you can do that might lower your risk. They include:

  • Don't use any form of tobacco. If you do, try to quit. Ask your healthcare provider for help.

  • Limit how much alcohol you drink.

  • Eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

  • Reach and stay at a healthy weight.

  • If you have heartburn often or have been diagnosed with GERD, work with your healthcare provider to manage your symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider about screening to look for precancerous changes in the lining of your esophagus. 

  • If you have Barrett esophagus, ask your healthcare provider about medicines that may stop it from progressing. You should also ask about screening to look for changes in the lining of your esophagus.

  • Watch for signs of esophageal cancer. These include trouble swallowing, chest pain, weight loss, or hoarseness. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms.  

Should you be screened for esophageal cancer?

Screening is the process of looking for cancer in people who don’t have symptoms. Screening for esophageal cancer in the general population is not recommended by any major medical organization in the U.S. at this time. But if you're at high risk based on your risk factors, talk with your healthcare provider about screening.

No standard test is used to screen for esophageal cancer. Screening can be done by looking at the inside of your esophagus. This test is called an upper endoscopy. To do it, your healthcare provider uses a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope. It's put in your mouth and passed into your esophagus. It has a tiny camera on the end of it. This lets your healthcare provider see pictures on a screen. If changes are seen on the lining of your esophagus, your healthcare provider may take a biopsy. This is a small piece of tissue. It will be tested for cancer or other problems.

Talk with your provider about your risk for esophageal cancer and ask if screening might be right for you.

Online Medical Reviewer: Kimberly Stump-Sutliff RN MSN AOCNS
Online Medical Reviewer: Lu Cunningham
Online Medical Reviewer: Richard LoCicero MD
Date Last Reviewed: 10/1/2018