Risk Factors of Esophageal Cancer

It has been found out that esophageal cancer can erupt after many years of problem, and chronic irritation in the esophagus. The main reasons are the consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Consumption of both together can increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Some of the major factors that are responsible for esophageal cancer are:-

Age- it has been observed that with increase in ages the chances of esophageal cancer increases. People above age group of 60 are more prone to this cancer.

Sex- statistics revel that this cancer is more prevalent in men than in women.

Tobacco- smoking and consumption of tobacco in oral or in other form has risk of this cancer.

Alcohol- alcoholics face the factor of suffering from this condition.  People who consume alcohol and tobacco both also run high risk of suffering from this condition. Studies show that both these substances increase the harmful effects of each other with increasing consumption.

Barrets esophagus- long term irritation in the inner lining and tract of the esophagus is associated with esophageal cancer. With frequent gastric reflux the irritated tissues and cells of the esophagus may change, the cells may then gradually resemble the cell lining of the stomach. This condition is popularly known as barrettes esophagus.

Medical history- patients with previous history of cancer in their neck or head have more chances of developing esophageal cancer.

Diagnosis of esophageal cancer-
The first test that is conducted to check this cancer is the barium swallow. This is a kind of special x-ray to know the bumps or raised surfaces on the smooth surface of the esophageal wall. This test is capable of detecting the irregular areas in a patent. But this test is not capable of informing about the extent of cancer spread.

Another way is with esophagoscopy. In this a thin lighted tube is inserted and the cells are collected and sent for biopsy. After the detection of cancer additional tests are also done, to check its extent of spread. This is known as staging.