Esophageal Cancer

In Hong Kong, cancer of the esophagus was the 10th most common among males, and the 6th in cancer mortality. Large-scale population studies in China, Japan, and India have confirmed the increased risk of alcohol and tobacco (average 2-folds for alcohol and 5 to 10 folds for Tar) in esophageal cancer. Among many dietary factors, hot beverages and pickled food containing N-nitroso compounds have been shown to increase the risk of acquiring ESCC, especially in Chinese. Therefore, patients possessing these food and lifestyle habits and acquiring new onset of difficulty in swallowing should seek immediate surgical consultation and receive endoscopy.