Reported Causes And Risk Factors Of Esophageal Cancer

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus is a condition where the esophageal lining tissue is abnormal and resembles the tissue lining the intestines. This condition is often a complication that results from long term untreated gastroesophageal reflux disease. The only symptoms Barrett's esophagus presents with are the symptoms produced by a patient's underlying GERD. The abnormal tissues of the esophageal lining in Barrett's esophagus are a result of abnormal cell growth and development in the affected areas. Since these cells have already been altered into abnormal tissue, the effect GERD has upon this abnormal tissue is severe.

There is greater susceptibility to cellular DNA damage in the cells affected by Barrett's esophagus because of the repeated exposure to increased levels of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species. Barrett's esophagus also commonly presents in patient's with an existing mutation in certain tumor suppressor genes responsible for inhibiting the duplication and growth of abnormal cells. Treatment of Barrett's esophagus focuses on prevention and diligent monitoring of cell dysplasia and cancerous cell growth.

Drinking Very Hot Liquids

Lifestyle habits such as drinking very hot liquids can increase an individual's risk of developing cancerous cell growth in the lining of their esophagus. When an individual consumes beverages over sixty-six degrees Celsius, they are likely to experience thermal injury to this lining. Inflammatory processes occur when the esophageal cells suffer a thermal injury on a chronic and consistent basis. Repeated inflammation of the esophageal mucosa promotes the development of reactive nitrogen species and nitrosamines. Also, cellular death from thermal injury also produces chemical byproducts in the affected area.

All of these substances promote the growth activity of malignant tumors in the esophagus. In addition, the esophageal mucosa is responsible for standing as a barrier between the carcinogens or cancer-causing substances an individual consumes and the interior cells of the body. Repeated thermal injury and inflammation of the esophagus causes this barrier function of the esophageal mucosa to become severely impaired. This impairment leaves the cells of the esophagus extremely vulnerable to the effects of carcinogenic substances.