Epidemiology of and Risk Factors for Esophageal Cancer in Korea
10.7704/kjhugr.2019.19.3.145
- Author:
Hye Kyung JUNG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. junghk@ewha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Epidemiology;
Esophageal neoplasms;
Physiopathology;
Risk factors
- MeSH:
Adenocarcinoma;
Beverages;
Carcinogenesis;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Diagnosis;
Drinking;
Epidemiology;
Esophageal Neoplasms;
Gastroesophageal Reflux;
Humans;
Incidence;
Korea;
Mortality;
Obesity;
Prognosis;
Risk Factors;
Smoke;
Smoking;
Social Class;
Survival Rate
- From:The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research
2019;19(3):145-148
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Esophageal cancer is an aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis because of its typically advanced stage at diagnosis and treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Of the two major subtypes, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma, ESCC is prevalent in more than 90 percent of esophageal cancer patients in Korea. Both the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are declining, and the relative survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer has improved. These epidemiological changes are attributed to increase in the detection rate of esophageal cancer at localized and regional stages before distant spread of the disease. And the most well-known risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma are obesity and gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The carcinogenesis of ESCC is associated with chronic irritation caused by smoking, heavy alcohol use, drinking very hot beverages, and a low socioeconomic status. Understanding the risk factors for esophageal cancer can lead to the identification of preventative strategies to reduce the risk of developing esophageal cancer or to improve the long-term prognosis.
