title: Epidemiologic differences in esophageal cancer between Asian and Western populations.
abstract: Esophageal cancer is a common cancer worldwide and has a poor prognosis. The incidence of esophageal squamous cell cancer has been decreasing, whereas the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has been increasing rapidly, particularly in Western men. Squamous cell cancer continues to be the major type of esophageal cancer in Asia, and the main risk factors include tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, hot beverage drinking, and poor nutrition. In contrast, esophageal adenocarcinoma predominately affects the whites, and the risk factors include smoking, obesity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In addition, Asians and Caucasians may have different susceptibilities to esophageal cancer due to different heritage backgrounds. However, comparison studies between these two populations are limited and need to be addressed in the near future. Ethnic differences should be taken into account in preventive and clinical practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, PR China.
authors.forename: Han-Ze
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Guang-Fu
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Hong-Bing
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics