Esophageal Cancer Causes
1. Smoking
The health risks associated with smoking are very well known, and the popularity of the habit has decreased dramatically in recent years. Still, a lot of people do choose to smoke, and some are having difficulty kicking the habit. A major risk factor for both subtypes of esophageal cancer is tobacco use (stronger for squamous cell carcinoma). When people smoke tobacco, they inhale many carcinogens (substances that can cause cancer) such as nitrosamines, aromatic amines, aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and phenols. These can damage any cell they come into contact with, including those in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urogenital tract. Furthermore, many studies have reported that for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus alcohol is the primary risk factor, but when combined with tobacco use they have a synergistic effect (greater combined effect).
Smoking also contributes to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)and its complications, which are also risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. It does so by relaxing the smooth muscle (lower esophageal sphincter or LES) that forms a tight ring in the connection between the stomach and the esophagus. The LES is going to regulate the passage of food into the stomach, preventing acid from backing up into the esophagus. Thus, if it relaxes, there is an increased risk of acid surging up and damaging the esophagus. Other ways by which smoking contributes to GERD are by reducing salivation, increasing acid secretion in the stomach, and interfering with the contraction of esophageal muscles.
