| Theme |
Life Style and Digestive Diseases |
| Title |
Association of Esophageal Cancer to Alcohol Consumption and Cigarette Smoking |
| Author |
Manabu Muto |
Division of Digestive Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East / Investigative Treatment Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute East |
| Author |
Mari Takahashi |
Division of Digestive Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East |
| Author |
Hiroyasu Esumi |
Investigative Treatment Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute East |
| [ Summary ] |
Many epidemiological studies have identified alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking as the major risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Although most previous studies have focused on daily or weekly mean alcohol intake, duration of alcoholic consumption or type of alcoholic beverages, the mechanism by which alcohol causes cancer remains obscure. Since recent studies have shown that genetic polymorphisms of alcohol metabolizing enzymes are strongly associated with cancers in the upper aerodigestive tract, there is growing evidence that acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, could be responsible for the alcohol related carcinogenic effects. In humans although the liver is the main site of first pass metabolism of ingested alcohol, acetaldehyde is also formed in the mucosa by local alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) or in saliva by oral microbial ADH. The present review summarizes recent data on the etiology of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, emphasizing the role of genetic polymorphisms of alcohol metabolizing enzymes, interactions with alcohol consumption. |