RISK-FACTORS FOR SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS

Cancer of the oesophagus has great diversity in geographical distribut ion and incidence. The rate of oesophageal cancer has been increasing in some areas and the reasons for this are not clear. This review outl ines fascinating epidemiological aspects and the risk factors for squa mous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. While in the Western world the effects of alcohol an tobacco are substantial preconditions, worldwide other factors, such as diet, nutritional deficiencies, environmental exposure and infectious agents (especially papillomavirus and fungi), play a significant role. Chronic irritation of the oesophagus appears to participate in the process of carcinogenesis, particularly in patie nts with thermal and/or mechanical injury, achalasia , oesophageal div erticulum, chronic lye stricture, radiation therapy, injection sclerot herapy and gastric resection before the appearance of oesophageal tumo ur. The association of Plummer-Vinson syndrome, coeliac disease, tylos is and scleroderma with oesophageal cancer has also been reviewed.