Esophageal Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer death and remains one of the least survivable cancers. Esophageal cancers show wide variations in incidence in different population, suggesting that environmental or lifestyle risk factors could be controlled to reduce risk of these diseases. There are two major histopathologic types (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma) of esophageal epithelial malignancy. Recently, the rate of adenocarcinoma is increasing in developed countries: in the United States, 50% or more is adenocarcinoma and, in about 70%, the increase especially in a white male serves as adenocarcinoma. Esophageal adenocarcinoma develops in the lower esophagus. In contrast, in Japan, the increase in adenocarcinoma is not clear and most (90%) of esophageal cancers are squamous cell carcinoma. Such squamous cell carcinoma occurs onto the middle part esophagus mostly, and 60% or more of the whole esophagus cancer also develops in the middle and upper parts. These differences also influence the treatment results. The scope of this article is to discuss carcinogenesis in the esophagus by giving an overview about its histopathological characteristics and molecular mechanisms.

Clinico-Pathological Findings and Spatial Distributions of Esophageal Cancer in Arsi Zone, Oromia, Central Ethiopia

“…42 The inconsistencies in tumor locations can be explained by differences in the classification of the anatomic sites. In this study, tumor locations were based on Watanabe et.al, of five (Cervical, upper, mid, lower, and GEJ) anatomical sites for the carcinogenesis of EC 3 contrary to other studies that used three (upper, mid, and lower) anatomical classifications.…”

“…2 World Health Organization (WHO) identified Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and Adenocarcinoma (AC) as the major tissue types of esophageal cancer. 3 Adenocarcinoma is more prevalent in developed countries such as in the United States, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, Slovakia, Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. 4 Esophageal cancer has distinct geographical distributions within the country and across the globe.…”

Clinico-Pathological Findings and Spatial Distributions of Esophageal Cancer in Arsi Zone, Central Ethiopia

“…Esophageal cancer (EC) is the malignant tumor that develops inside the esophagus as the result of alteration in epithelial linings (1) It is 7th cancer in incidences and the 6th causes of cancer mortality in the world (2). World Health Organization (WHO) identi ed Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and Adenocarcinoma (AC) as the major tissue types of esophageal cancer (3). Adenocarcinoma is more prevalent in developed countries such as in the United States, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, Slovakia, Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand (4).…”