Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Volume 103, Issue 4, October 1992, Pages 1336-1348
Gastroenterology

Special report and review
Infectious agents in the etiology of esophageal cancer

https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(92)91526-AGet rights and content

Abstract

Extensive epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that some chemical agents, nutritional deficiencies, and physical factors are associated with the development of esophageal cancer (EC). Recent evidence also suggests an etiologic role of certain microorganisms in esophageal carcinogenesis either by producing carcinogens or promotors or by acting directly on the host cells. The mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of several fungi and bacteria isolated from the grains and foodstuffs in high-risk areas have been shown by in vitro and in vivo studies. Certain viruses, e.g., human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of human cancers, and all of them are known to produce tumors in animals and cell transformation in vitro. These viruses also have been shown to infect the esophageal epithelium. Therefore, although many of the key issues of their mechanisms of action are unclear as yet, they should be considered potential etiologic agents of EC. The present review summarizes the data available on the etiology of EC, emphasizing the current evidence implicating an etiologic role of microorganisms in the pathogenesis of this malignancy.

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    Supported in part by a research grant from the Finnish Cancer Society and a research contract (1041051) from the Medical Research Council of the Academy of Finland.

    1

    Supported in part by a research grant from the Union International Contre le Cancer (to F.C.).

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    Copyright © 1992 Published by Elsevier Inc.