The exact cause of esophageal cancer is not known, but there are several risk factors for the disease. Risk factors for esophageal cancer include:
- Older age: Esophageal cancer occurs more often in people older than 60 years than in those aged 60 or younger.
- Male gender: Men are three times more likely to develop the disease than women.
- Ethnicity: Squamous cell esophageal cancer happens more often in African Americans and Asians. Adenocarcinoma happens more often in whites.
- Tobacco use: This includes smoking and using smokeless tobacco.
- Alcohol use: Chronic and/or heavy use of alcohol increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
- Barrett’s esophagus and chronic acid reflux: Barrett’s esophagus is a change in the cells at the lower end of the esophagus that occurs from chronic untreated acid reflux. Even without Barrett’s esophagus, people with long-term heartburn have a higher risk of esophageal cancer.
- Human papilloma virus (HPV): In areas of the world that have a high incidence of esophageal cancer (such as Asia and South Africa), infection with HPV carries an increased risk for developing esophageal squamous cell cancer. HPV is a common virus that can cause tissue changes in the vocal cords and mouth, and on the hands, feet and sex organs.
- Other disorders: Other conditions have been linked to esophageal cancer. These include achalasia, an uncommon disease that causes difficulty swallowing, and tylosis, a rare, inherited disorder in which excess skin grows on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
- Occupational exposure to certain chemicals: People exposed to dry cleaning solvents over long periods of time are at higher risk for esophageal cancer.
- History of cancer: People who have had cancer of the neck or head have a greater risk for esophageal cancer.