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Esophageal Cancer: About this Condition
Risk Factors for Esophageal Cancer
There are many risk factors associated with esophageal cancer, though having one or more of these factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop esophageal cancer. In fact, most people who have these risk factors will not develop esophageal cancer. Still, these risks factors do significantly increase the risk of having esophageal cancer compared to patients without those risk factors. In addition, some people without major risk factors can also develop the disease.
Esophageal cancer risk factors include:
- GERD: Having Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease irritates the lining of your esophagus and can lead to cancer
- Barrett’s esophagus: This is a pre-cancerous change to the lining of your esophagus, typically found in patients who have a history of GERD.
- Swallowing difficulties: Having difficulty swallowing because an esophageal sphincter won’t relax can lead to chronic irritation of the esophagus
- Drinking alcohol: Heavy alcohol use is associated with an higher risk of esophageal cancer, possibily due to irritation of the cells of the esophagus
- Smoking: Your risk of developing esophageal cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked. Quitting at any age lowers your risk of developing esophageal cancer.
- Obesity: Obesity is associated with digestive conditions such as reflux that can irritate the lining of the esophagus
- Exposure to radiation: Radiation therapy to the chest from childhood through early adulthood increases esophageal cancer risk.
- Ethnicity and Geography: The incidence of esophageal cancer is very high in some regions in Asian countries such as China and Japan. The exact reason for the higher rate of cancer in these locations is not known, but is felt to possibly due to environmental factors or dietary habits such as drinking very hot liquids.
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
Clinical Trials for Esophageal Cancer
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.
Our Clinics
Stanford Cancer Center provides a warm, supportive environment that enables patients and families to stay in one location for procedures and tests and focus on healing.


Stanford Cancer Center provides a warm, supportive environment that enables patients and families to stay in one location for procedures and tests and focus on healing.
To schedule an appointment, please call: 888-888-8888
Learn More About Esophageal Cancer
What We Offer
Our providers use leading edge techniques to diagnose and treat esophageal Cancer.
About this Condition
Learn about the symptoms, types, and diagnosis of esophageal cancer.
Patient Care Resources
Learn what to expect as you go through the early steps of your care.