The information on this page was reviewed and approved by
Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science at CTCA.
This page was updated on April 2, 2021.
Risk factors for esophageal cancer may vary. Knowing the risk factors for esophageal cancer may help you reduce your chance of developing the disease.
Some of the most common risk factors for esophageal cancer include age, gender, smoking, drinking alcohol and obesity. Other common risk factors are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic digestive condition, and Barrett’s esophagus, which is an abnormal tissue condition in the lower part of the esophagus that often develops from GERD. Because people with GERD and Barrett’s esophagus have a much higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, they are often closely monitored for esophageal cancer by undergoing biopsies and routine endoscopies. Common risk factors for esophageal cancer include:
Certain disorders are considered risk factors for esophageal cancer. People with the following conditions have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer:
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