Lower Esophageal Cancer Research Articles

Volumetric-modulated arc therapy vs. c-IMRT in esophageal cancer: a treatment planning comparison.

To compare the volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans with conventional sliding window intensity-modulated radiotherapy (c-IMRT) plans in esophageal cancer (EC). Twenty patients with EC were selected, including 5 cases located in the cervical, the upper, the middle and the lower thorax, respectively. Five plans were generated with the eclipse planning system: three using c-IMRT with 5 fields (5F), 7 fields (7F) and 9 fields (9F), and two using VMAT with a single arc (1A) and double arcs (2A). The treatment plans were designed to deliver a dose of 60 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV) with the same constrains in a 2.0 Gy daily fraction, 5 d a week. Plans were normalized to 95% of the PTV that received 100% of the prescribed dose. We examined the dose-volume histogram parameters of PTV and the organs at risk (OAR) such as lungs, spinal cord and heart. Monitor units (MU) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of OAR were also reported. Both c-IMRT and VMAT plans resulted in abundant dose coverage of PTV for EC of different locations. The dose conformity to PTV was improved as the number of field in c-IMRT or rotating arc in VMAT was increased. The doses to PTV and OAR in VMAT plans were not statistically different in comparison with c-IMRT plans, with the following exceptions: in cervical and upper thoracic EC, the conformity index (CI) was higher in VMAT (1A 0.78 and 2A 0.8) than in c-IMRT (5F 0.62, 7F 0.66 and 9F 0.73) and homogeneity was slightly better in c-IMRT (7F 1.09 and 9F 1.07) than in VMAT (1A 1.1 and 2A 1.09). Lung V30 was lower in VMAT (1A 12.52 and 2A 12.29) than in c-IMRT (7F 14.35 and 9F 14.81). The humeral head doses were significantly increased in VMAT as against c-IMRT. In the middle and lower thoracic EC, CI in VMAT (1A 0.76 and 2A 0.74) was higher than in c-IMRT (5F 0.63 Gy and 7F 0.67 Gy), and homogeneity was almost similar between VMAT and c-IMRT. V20 (2A 21.49 Gy vs. 7F 24.59 Gy and 9F 24.16 Gy) and V30 (2A 9.73 Gy vs. 5F 12.61 Gy, 7F 11.5 Gy and 9F 11.37 Gy) of lungs in VMAT were lower than in c-IMRT, but low doses to lungs (V5 and V10) were increased. V30 (1A 48.12 Gy vs. 5F 59.2 Gy, 7F 58.59 Gy and 9F 57.2 Gy), V40 and V50 of heart in VMAT was lower than in c-IMRT. MUs in VMAT plans were significantly reduced in comparison with c-IMRT, maximum doses to the spinal cord and mean doses of lungs were similar between the two techniques. NTCP of spinal cord was 0 for all cases. NTCP of lungs and heart in VMAT were lower than in c-IMRT. The advantage of VMAT plan was enhanced by doubling the arc. Compared with c-IMRT, VMAT, especially the 2A, slightly improves the OAR dose sparing, such as lungs and heart, and reduces NTCP and MU with a better PTV coverage.

Soils selenium level and esophageal cancer: An ecological study in a high risk area for esophageal cancer

Project Golestan province, located in northeast of Iran, has been known as a high risk area for esophageal cancer (EC). This study was conducted to assess the relationship between soils selenium (Se) level and development of EC in this region. Procedures In this ecological study, 135 blocks were identified in Golestan province based on geographical altitude and longitude on the map. One soil sample was collected from the center of each block. Then we investigated Se concentration in soil samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed by the Pearson correlation test and Student t-tests. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results The mean±SD of soils Se level in Golestan province was 3.7±1.61 mg/kg. There was a positive correlation between soils Se level and EC rates in this area ( P=0.03) (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.19). Soils Se concentration was significantly higher in high (4.13 mg/kg) than in the low (3.39 mg/kg) EC rate areas ( P=0.01). Conclusions We found high soils Se concentration and a significant positive relationship between soils Se level and EC rate in Golestan province of Iran. So, high soils Se level may play a possible role in developing EC in this area, specifically in Turkmensahra (very high EC rates).

Neoadjuvant treatment in upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas: new paradigms from old concepts?

Despite a decline in the incidence of upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas in North America and western Europe during the past century, treatment remains a challenging problem for oncologists. The poor outcome associated with surgical resection with curative intent has generated intensive investigation of combined modality treatment approaches including systemic chemotherapy to prevent recurrences and improve overall mortality. This article reviews data on neoadjuvant and perioperative treatment modalities for upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. Postoperative chemoradiation is favored in the USA for good performance status patients with resected, high-risk gastric or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma (more stage IA). More recently, the UK Medical Research Council Adjuvant Gastric Infusional Chemotherapy (MAGIC) and Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer-Fédération Francophone de Cancérologie Digestive trials results, showing survival benefit with perioperative chemotherapy in operable gastric and lower esophageal cancers, have had an impact on the treatment practice in Europe. Novel strategies, involving induction with chemotherapy followed by preoperative chemoradiation, addition of targeted therapies to perioperative chemotherapy or use of new cytotoxic regimens are under evaluation to improve current standards and try to tailor therapeutic strategies.

Erythropoetin (epoetin beta) once weekly in anemic patients with advanced cancer of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction: Interim results of a randomized German AIO phase II trail

15133 Background: Tumor-related or chemotherapy-induced anemia is common in gastrointestinal cancer patients and results in reduced quality of life and worse prognosis. Thus, the effectiveness of erythropoetin (epoetin beta) treatment (EB) to achieve and maintain a target haemoglobin (Hb) level of ≥ 11 g/dl was assessed within a randomised German AIO phase II study to assess efficacy of irinotecan/capecitabine versus cisplatin/capecitabine in advanced gastric or lower esophageal cancer. Methods: Patients (pts) with untreated locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of stomach or gastroesophageal junction (KPS ≥ 60%, > one measurable lesion, adequate organ functions) were randomized to receive 3-weekly cycles of either irinotecan 250 mg/m2 d1 (arm A) or cisplatin 80 mg/m2 d1 (arm B). Capecitabine was administered at 2000 mg/m2 for 14 days in both arms. In both arms, EB (30,000 I.E. once weekly) was given at Hb of < 11 g/dl and continued until Hb ≥ 12 g/dl. If after 4 treatment weeks, Hb increase was < 0.5 g/dl, EB was increased to 30,000 I.E. twice weekly. FACT-An questionnaires were completed at each cycle. Results: At time of abstract submission, 81 pts were randomized to A (37 pts) or B (44 pts). 23 pts received at least 3 EB injections (A: 10 pts, B: 13 pts). Median Hb prior to EB was 10.5 g/dl (A: 10.4 g/dl, B: 10.5 g/dl) and median Hb at end of EB was 11.6 g/dl (A: 11.5 g/dl, B: 11.75 g/dl). During EB, 80 % of A and 77 % of B achieved target Hb of ≥ 11 g/dl with a median rise in Hb of 2.0 g/dl (A: 1.4 g/dl, B: 2 g/dl). 5 pts in A and 7 pts in B responded with a ≥ 1 g/dl rise in Hb during first 4 weeks. FACT-An questionnaires showed no change from baseline to end of EB. Among evaluable pts with EB (20 pts) versus without EB (34 pts), response (CR + PR) and tumor control rates (CR + PR + SD) were 60% vs 35% and 85% vs 70%, respectively. Conclusions: EB is effective in raising Hb levels in advanced or metastatic gastric cancer. Patients receiving EB tend to show a better response to chemotherapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Anatomical subsite discrepancy in relation to the impact of the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and betel quid on esophageal cancer

The carcinogenetic impact of risk factors on esophageal cancer (EC) may differ according to the portion of the esophagus where the tumor occurs. It is unclear why more esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) developed in the middle location. We carried out a multicenter case-control study in Taiwan to assess anatomical subsite risk discrepancy for this neoplasm in regard to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and betel quid. Four hundred forty seven incident patients with pathology-proven SCC of the esophagus (107 were upper-third [U/3-EC], 199 middle-third [M/3-EC] and 141 lower-third [L/3-EC] cases), as well as 1,022 gender, age and study hospital matched controls were analyzed by unordered polytomous logistic regression. All consumption of the three substances was related to the development of each subsite of EC, with a heterogeneously higher risk for current smokers (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 6.2) found in M/3-EC and for current chewers, in U/3-EC (AOR = 4.9). The joint risk of contracting lower two-third EC for drinking and smoking appeared to significantly surpass those estimated by a multiplicative interaction model. Concomitant exposure to these two agents brought the risks of EC at all three subsites up to 10- to 23.9-fold and additional tobacco-free betel quid to a 30.3- to 75.0-fold. In conclusion, tumor subsite discrepancy risk is related to prolonged exposure to tobacco and betel quid with inflorescence. Alcohol interacts with tobacco in a stronger supra-multiplicative way in the middle portion of the esophagus, probably explaining why esophageal SCC occurs more commonly at this anatomical location.

Selenium in soil, grain, human hair and drinking water in relation to esophageal cancer in the Cixian area, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China

Selenium deficiency was suspected to be a factor in the aetiology of esophageal cancer in the Linxian and Cixian regions of the People’s Republic of China and vitamin trials in the Linxian area indicated that combined supplementation with β-carotene, vitamin E and Se reduced the mortality rate. In order to further evaluate the role of Se, the distribution of total Se in cultivated topsoils, grain, human hair and drinking water was studied in 15 villages in the Cixian area, People’s Republic of China, which in the 1980–1990s had one of the highest mortality rates from esophageal cancer in the world. This study demonstrated that total Se concentrations in drinking water, soil, grain and hair increase from the low esophageal cancer area to the high cancer area, contrary to the expected trend. This suggests that Se deficiency does not play a major role in the aetiology of esophageal cancer in the study area. Nitrate in drinking water is much higher in the area with high esophageal cancer mortality rate than in the low mortality rate area, and this may be a significant factor. Mycotoxins (especially fumonisin), nitrosamine and nitrosamine precursors in grain, NO 3 - in drinking water, and dietary β-carotene and Vitamin E remain as potential factors which need to be evaluated further.

Preoperative and adjuvant therapies for upper gastrointestinal cancers

Survival of esophageal, gastrointestinal junction and gastric cancers is poor given that they frequently present with locally advanced or metastatic disease. The incidence of gastrointestinal junction adenocarcinoma is increasing whereas that of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is decreasing. The accuracy of staging has improved with newer diagnostic techniques, including positron emission tomography, endoscopic ultrasound and laparoscopy, and this should be integrated in prospective Phase III clinical trials evaluating neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies for some esophageal and all gastric carcinomas. For esophageal cancer (except for one trial by Walsh and colleagues), four randomized Phase III trials comparing preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgery versus surgery alone have not shown a survival benefit. Neither have the trials, where preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgery, is compared with definitive chemoradiation. Nevertheless, it is commonly practiced in the USA and has become a preferred combined modality approach. Postoperative chemoradiation is favored in the USA for good performance status patients with resected, high-risk gastric or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma (more than Stage IA). The UK–MAGIC trial results, showing survival benefit with perioperative chemotherapy in operable gastric and lower esophageal cancers, probably has an impact on the treatment practice of these cancers in Europe and Asia. Promising results from trials involving preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgery in gastric cancer (pathologic complete response of 20–30%) need to be further evaluated in a Phase III setting and compared with postoperative chemoradiation. Active ongoing research will help us clarify the role of preoperative and adjuvant therapies in esophageal and gastric cancers. The role of molecular profiling is evolving and will help us differentiate the responders from the nonresponders.

Perioperative chemotherapy in operable gastric and lower oesophageal cancer: Final results of a randomised, controlled trial (the MAGIC trial, ISRCTN 93793971)

4001 Background: Epirubicin, Cisplatin and infused 5-FU (ECF) shows significant benefit in advanced oesophagogastric cancer, particularly locally advanced disease. This trial was designed to determine whether this effect translates into a survival advantage in operable disease. Methods: Patients with operable adenocarcinoma of the stomach, oesophagogastric junction or lower oesophagus were randomised to perioperative chemotherapy (CSC arm) or surgery alone (S arm). In the CSC arm, chemotherapy comprised three pre-operative and three post-operative cycles, 3 weeks apart, of E 50mg/m2 IV bolus, C 60mg/m2 infusion and 5-FU 200mg/m2/day continuous infusion. The trial was powered (2α=5%, 1-β=90%) to detect a 15% increase in 5-year survival (∼250 events required), with pre-planned analysis with another European trial of the same design, collectively giving ∼90% power to detect a 10% increase in survival. The latter trial closed early, therefore to increase power to detect a 10% increase from MAGIC alone, the fi...

Riboflavin deficiency and esophageal cancer: A case control-household study in the Caspian Littoral of Iran

Background: In a case-household–control-household study in two very high and low esophageal cancer (EC) risk regions of the Caspian Littoral of Iran, a total of 21 cases (12 subjects from the high risk and 9 subjects from the low-risk region) with a total of 91 household members (57 subjects from the high risk and 34 subjects from the low-risk region) were investigated. Cases were matched for sex and age (±5 years) with non-blood relative controls. Methods: A standard 24-h dietary recall questionnaire was used to estimate riboflavin intake. The erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGR-AC) was measured to assess riboflavin status. The Student t-test was used to test differences, and χ 2 analysis was applied to test associations. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were also calculated. Results: Results indicated that in both regions, the mean daily intake of riboflavin for cases was less than that of the controls (0.66 ± 0.43 mg/day versus 0.82 ± 0.37 mg/day) whereas for their households, it was virtually the same. Both cases and control households showed riboflavin deficiency in two regions, with higher deficiency in the high risk area. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the two regions for EGR-AC ( P < 0.001). Odd ratios indicated that the risk of developing EC for persons living in riboflavin-deficient households was more than twice of non-deficient households. Conclusion: Therefore, this study suggests that riboflavin deficiency may play an important role in the etiology of esophageal cancer in the Caspian Littoral of Iran.

45 Perioperative chemotherapy in operable gastric and lower oesophageal cancer: a randomised, controlled trial of the UK NCRI upper GI clinical studies group (the MAGIC trial, ISRCTN 93793971)

45 Perioperative chemotherapy in operable gastric and lower oesophageal cancer: a randomised, controlled trial of the UK NCRI upper GI clinical studies group (the MAGIC trial, ISRCTN 93793971)

Pathological issues of gastric and lower esophageal cancer: helicobacter pylori infection and its eradication.

Gastric carcinoma is thought to develop via the actions of inducers and promoters of carcinogenesis. Tryptophan in charred fish or animal meat, ultraviolet rays, and irradiation, which damage genes of normal cells, have long been regarded as inducers of carcinoma, and agents such as alcohol, tobacco, aflatoxin, and nitrosoamine as promoters, with tobacco having both activities. The interaction between these environmental factors, principally diet, and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is important in the genesis of gastric carcinoma. In this report, the histopathological feature of the Hp gastritis-carcinoma sequence is outlined, and the pathological characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and endoscopically negative reflux disease (ENRD) and the risk factors for lower esophageal carcinoma after Hp eradicated status in particular are discussed regarding aspects of cell cycle-associated factors. We conclude that (1) Infection with Hp increases the risk of gastric cancer in two histological phenotypes (i.e., diffuse undifferentiated type and intestinal differentiated type). Excessive cell replication and interrupting the mucus secretion mechanism may result in a large proportion of cells with genetic abnormalities. (2) Genetic alterations in gastric carcinogenesis may differ from those in colonic carcinogenesis. (3) The degree of GERD in Japanese patients is milder than that in patients from Western countries, although the incidence of GERD increases the status after successful eradication of Hp. It is also possible that accumulation of genetic abnormalities increases the number of cardiac and lower esophageal cancers. Investigation of cell cycle factors in GERD including ENRD can be expected to reveal the risk of carcinogenesis.

Three Elderly Patients With Lower Esophageal Cancer Successfully Treated By Transhiatal Esophagectomy Assisted by Mediastinoscopy

Mediastinoscopy-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy recently has been applied in patients with intrathoracic esophageal cancer. Elderly patients with esophageal cancer experience several types of complications and often cannot undergo standard transthoracic esophagectomy. In this study, three elderly patients with preoperative complications underwent mediastinoscopy-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer located in the lower part of the esophagus. Patient 1 was an 80-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Patient 2 was a 78-year-old man with bronchial asthma. Patient 3 was an 81-year-old-man with diabetes mellitus and an atherosclerotic obstruction of the lower extremities. In these patients, mediastinoscopy-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy concomitant with reconstruction by means of a gastric tube was performed. Lymph node dissections of the middle and lower mediastinum and of the abdomen, including the regions surrounding the left gastric and celiac arteries, were performed. Postoperative complications developed only in patient 1; minor leakage of the esophagogastrostomy and high bilirubinemia were observed. Metastasis was detected in the lymph nodes surrounding the celiac artery in patient 1 and surrounding the left gastric artery in patients 2 and 3. Patient 2 died of pneumonia 18 months later, but the other patients have been well, without recurrence of the cancer after surgery. In conclusion, mediastinoscopy-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy has some benefits for elderly esophageal cancer patients who experience preoperative complications.

Alterations in p53 expression and cell proliferation in esophageal epithelia among patients from geographical areas with high or low incidence of esophageal cancer.

To study changes in p53 expression and cell proliferation in esophageal epithelia of subjects from high or low esophageal cancer incidence areas in Henan Province to understand their molecular basis. Esophageal endoscopic mucosa biopsies were acquired and histopathological examinations were performed on 220 subjects from high esophageal cancer incidence areas and 50 subjects from low incidence areas in Henan Province. Esophageal epithelia were diagnosed as normal, basal cell hyperplasia or dysplasia based on cell morphology and tissue structure. Immunohistochemistry avidin biotin peroxidase complex (ABC method) was performed to analyze alterations in p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in normal epithelia and epithelia with different lesion severities. The numbers of p53-positive and PCNA-positive cells were counted. p53- and PCNA-positive nuclei were present in esophageal epithelia from subjects from both high and low incidence areas. The number of PCNA-positive cells gradually increased with lesion severity for both the high and low incidence areas. The number of p53-positive cells was higher in high incidence areas compared to low incidence areas, and rapidly increased with lesion severity. p53 expression positively correlated with PCNA expression. The number of both p53- and PCNA-positive cells increased with lesion severity. p53 expression was higher in subjects from high esophageal cancer incidence areas compared to those from low incidence areas. These results may shed light into the molecular basis for the geographical distribution of esophageal cancer.

Clinical implications of cervical lymph node metastasis patterns in thoracic esophageal cancer.

The authors attempt to clarify the clinical implications of cervical lymph node metastases from thoracic esophageal cancers. Cervical lymph node metastases from thoracic esophageal cancer have been considered to be incompatible with curative resection. However, recent studies have demonstrated that cure is achievable in patients with such metastases. Patterns of esophageal cancer metastasis to the cervical nodes and long-term results after tumor resection were investigated in 23 patients undergoing bilateral cervical lymphadenectomy for treatment of thoracic esophageal cancer. The number of positive nodes per patient was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in lower esophageal cancers (median: 15) than in upper or mid esophageal cancers (median: 2.5). Simultaneous metastases to three nodal regions (the neck, mediastinum, and abdomen) were significantly more common (p < 0.001) in lower esophageal tumors (88.9%) than in upper and mid esophageal lesions (7.1%). Although the overall 5-year survival rate was 16.5%, long-term survival was achieved only in patients with upper or mid esophageal cancer.

METASTATIC LYMPH NODE OF AN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER PENETRATING TO THE STOMACH-A CASE REPORT-

In lower esophageal cancers, lymph nodes involvement is frequently seen in the celiac region, but the lesion rarely penetrates to the gastric wall. This paper presents a recent experience with a case of stomach penetration by a metastatic node of esophageal cancer to the superior gastric region. A 64-year-old male was admitted to the hospital because of a swallowing disturbance and weight loss. A Borr. 2type lesion on the lower thoracic esophagus, second protruding lesion with deep ulceration on the cardia, and third IIc type on the prepyrorus were found by preoperative examination. Surgery, including subtotal resection of the thoracic esophagus, total gastrectomy and splenectomy was performed. From the histopathologic and macroscopic findings, the second lesion was found to be a metastatic lymph node of the esophageal cancer penetrating to the stomach.

Management of unresectable oesophageal cancer: a review of 537 patients.

We compared and contrasted the potentials of palliation afforded by various management methods in a retrospective study of all patients referred to one surgical team in a 20-year period. Five hundred thirty-seven patients had unresectable oesophageal cancer. There were five treatment groups: group 1-dilatation plus external radiotherapy (DXR, n = 95), group 2-gastrostomy plus DXR (n = 18), group 3-permanent intubation (n = 329), group 4-oesophageal bypass (BP, n = 70), and group 5-YAG laser plus brachytherapy (n = 25). Groups 1 and 2 had high mortality (4% and 25%) and poor symptom relief, with an average survival of 2.5 and 3.5 months, respectively. Group 3 had a 20% mortality rate, moderate-to-good symptom relief and an average survival of 4.2 months. This method was best for lower oesophageal cancer. Group 4 had a 22% mortality rate, good symptom relief and an average survival of 10.5 months. The BP method was suitable for patients with oesophago-airway fistula (OAF) and those with lower oesophageal cancer found unresectable at operation. Group 5 had a hospital mortality rate of 8%, good symptom control and an average survival of 6.2 months. This was suitable for all patients (except those with OAF). In palliation of carcinoma of the oesophagus the selection of method should be made to suit the characteristic and location of the tumour.

Natural occurrence of some Fusarium mycotoxins in corn from low and high esophageal cancer prevalence areas of the Transkei, Southern Africa

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTNatural occurrence of some Fusarium mycotoxins in corn from low and high esophageal cancer prevalence areas of the Transkei, Southern AfricaEric W. Sydenham, Pieter G. Thiel, Walter F. O. Marasas, Gordon S. Shephard, Dirk J. Van Schalkwyk, and Klaus R. KochCite this: J. Agric. Food Chem. 1990, 38, 10, 1900–1903Publication Date (Print):October 1, 1990Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 October 1990https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00100a004RIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views583Altmetric-Citations329LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (591 KB) Get e-Alerts Get e-Alerts

Occurrence of esophageal carcinoma after gastrectomy.

A review of data on 548 patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma revealed that 24 (4.4%) had had gastrectomy. Although the interval of the gastrectomy due to peptic ulcer or gastric cancer and esophageal cancer was 13.4 +/- 7.9 and 5.8 +/- 4.2 years, respectively, this difference was thought to be due only to the occurrence of each disease. The incidence of the occurrence of the lower esophageal cancer after gastrectomy was 29.2%, not significantly higher than the 22.4% incidence of lower esophageal cancer in overall cases. Histopathological investigation of the 13 resected esophageal cancer tissues from gastrectomized patients revealed a mild esophagitis in some cases, with no significant histologic characteristics. Thus esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and previous gastrectomy may be incidentally related.

Selenium and other mineral elements in populations at risk for esophageal cancer.

The current study tested the hypothesis that deficiencies of certain mineral elements are risk factors for esophageal cancer (EC). In rural blacks living in areas with moderate to high EC incidence rates in southern Africa, the whole blood selenium (Se) levels were found to be significantly (P less than 0.0005) lower (58 to 71 ng/ml) than those of rural and urban populations living in low EC rate areas (114 to 177 ng/ml). No significant differences were found in the plasma levels of the other mineral elements examined, including zinc, copper, and magnesium. Within a high EC rate area occupants of households with previously recorded EC cases had significantly (P less than 0.0025) lower levels of Se (64 ng/ml), but not of other mineral elements, than subjects from households without known cases (77 ng/ml). Mean Se levels of subjects with premalignant or malignant esophageal cytological changes (54 ng/ml) were significantly (P less than 0.0025) lower than those of subjects without such lesions (68 ng/ml). An inverse relationship was found between Se status and the degree of cytologic abnormality. These findings suggest that Se deficiency may play a role in the development of EC. The potential value of whole blood Se determinations and esophageal cytologic examinations in the early detection and of Se supplementation in the prevention of EC merits further investigation.