title: Fish consumption and risk of esophageal cancer and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inconsistent results regarding the association between fish intake and risk of subtypes of esophageal cancer (EC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), have been reported. To provide a quantitative assessment of this association, we summarized the evidence from observational studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant studies were identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE until 31 May, 2012. Summary relative risks (SRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled with a random-effects model. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran's Q and I(2) statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 24 studies (21 case-control and 3 cohort studies) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The SRRs of ESCC were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66-0.99) for those in the highest fish consumption category compared with those in the lowest consumption category, with significant heterogeneity among studies (P(heterogeneity)=0.007, I(2)=51.9%). Subgroup analysis suggested that a weak association between fish consumption and ESCC risk was shown in hospital-based case-control studies, but not in population-based case-control or cohort studies. According to high vs low analysis, fish consumption had no relationship with EAC risk (SRR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.61-1.22).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that fish consumption is not appreciably related to risk of both ESCC and EAC.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. hanyujing200032@126.com
authors: Y J
authors: YJ
authors: Han
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Huang
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Fang
authors: L N
authors: LN
authors: Xiao
authors: Z' E
authors: ZE
authors: Liao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D002149:Energy Intake; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D017747:Seafood / Q000009:adverse effects