Cancer Biology & Medicine (Mar 2017)

Epidemiology, etiology, and prevention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China

  • He Liang,
  • Jin-Hu Fan,
  • You-Lin Qiao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2016.0093
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 33 – 41

Abstract

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Esophageal cancer is one of the most fatal diseases worldwide mainly because of its rapid progression and poor prognosis. Although the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has markedly risen in North America and Europe in the past several decades, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is still the predominant subtype of esophageal cancer, especially in China. It accounts for more than 90% of all esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases in China. Geographical differentiation is one of the most distinctive characteristics of esophageal cancer. The progression, risk factors, and prognosis of these two subtypes of esophageal cancer differ. This study reviews the epidemiology, etiology, and prevention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China, thereby providing systematic references for policy-makers who will decide on issues of esophageal cancer prevention and control.

Keywords