Esophageal Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Diagnostic Methods

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a malignant disease with low survival rates and limited treatment options in the later stages. The epidemiological situation in developed countries tends to improve. However, in most states, including the Russian Federation, the situation remains in critical condition. Epidemiology of EC: Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive malignant disease. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in 2018, 572 thousand new cases of RP were registered in the world (3.2 % of the total number of malignant disease). In 2018, 508.6 thousand deaths from cancer were recorded in the world (5.3 % of the total number of deaths from cancer, 6th place) [1]. EC risk factors: The following factors play an important role in the etiology of squamous EC: 1. Diet (nitrites, hot food and drinks, insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals with food). 2. Tobacco and alcohol use are independent risk factors, but when combined with others, they increase the risk of the disease. 3. Achalasia of the cardia. 4. Burns of the esophagus. 5. Autosomal dominant diseases characterized by hyperkeratosis of the palms of the hands and feet. The risk of developing EC reaches 37 % [2]. 6. Human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 causes a risk of EC in 37 % of patients. Diagnostic methods: Traditional methods for the diagnosis of EC are: esophagogastroduodenosocpy with biopsy, endoscopic ultrasound with puncture biopsy of the mediastinal lymph nodes, computed tomography of the chest and abdominal organs (including contrast), magnetic resonance imaging of the chest cavity (including with contrasting), positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (including combined with computed tomography).