title: Development of esophageal cancer in Chaoshan region, China: association with environmental, genetic and cultural factors.
abstract: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the eighth most common cancer by incidence worldwide. Although the cancer is located at a readily recognizable and accessible site in the body, it is the sixth most common cause of cancer death. The 1- and 5-year survival rates in China are 50% and 15%, respectively. Furthermore, the cancer has distinct geographic and etiological risk factors in different locations around the world. Since ESCC is highly prevalent in the Chaoshan (Southeastern) region of China, this report will focus on a review of risk factors for the cancer in this area. From the review, it is clear that some important and traditional factors are involved, e.g. environmental mutagens, genetic predisposition. However, unique factors, e.g. the drinking of very hot tea, may play an important role. This review highlights the role of complex risk factors (environmental, genetic and cultural) which contribute to the multistage development of cancer: localized injury, inflammation, mitogenesis, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and eventually mortality. The latter is contributed by unnecessary delay in seeking medical care which may be culturally related. The review emphasizes the need to identify causal mechanisms for the complex carcinogenic process which can provide opportunity for prevention and treatment of this potentially curable cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Therapy, Cancer Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
authors.forename: Z J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.. Electronic address: minsu@stu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China; MPH Education Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China. Electronic address: wau@stu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Au
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Alcohol consumption; Cigarette smoking; Esophageal cancer; Familial cancer; Genetic susceptibility