What are the different types of esophageal cancer and how are they different?
The two types of esophageal cancer are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In the United States, there are about 6,000 new cases of each type of esophageal cancer annually. Squamous cell is three times more likely to occur in males than females and six times more likely in African-Americans than whites. Adenocarcinoma is seven times more likely in males and four times more likely in whites. Adenocarcinoma is most commonly linked to Barrett’s esophagus, whereas squamous cell is most commonly associated with alcohol and tobacco use. What causes squamous cell esophageal cancer? Alcohol and tobacco are risk factors for the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The likelihood of developing cancer is related to the amount of tobacco and alcohol used. The type of alcohol is also important; hard liquor is more closely associated with the development of cancer than wine or beer. Several dietary factors have been implicated. N-nitroso compounds, found in processed and
