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Review
. 2017 Jan 15;140(2):259-271.
doi: 10.1002/ijc.30292. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Informing etiologic research priorities for squamous cell esophageal cancer in Africa: A review of setting-specific exposures to known and putative risk factors

V A McCormack  1 , D Menya  2 , M O Munishi  3 , C Dzamalala  4   5 , N Gasmelseed  6   7 , M Leon Roux  1 , M Assefa  8 , O Osano  9 , M Watts  10 , A O Mwasamwaja  3   11 , B T Mmbaga  3   11 , G Murphy  12 , C C Abnet  12 , S M Dawsey  12 , J Schüz  1
Affiliations
Review

Informing etiologic research priorities for squamous cell esophageal cancer in Africa: A review of setting-specific exposures to known and putative risk factors

V A McCormack et al. Int J Cancer. .

Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common cancers in most Eastern and Southern African countries, but its etiology has been understudied to date. To inform its research agenda, we undertook a review to identify, of the ESCC risk factors which have been established or strongly suggested worldwide, those with a high prevalence or high exposure levels in any ESCC-affected African setting and the sources thereof. We found that for almost all ESCC risk factors known to date, including tobacco, alcohol, hot beverage consumption, nitrosamines and both inhaled and ingested PAHs, there is evidence of population groups with raised exposures, the sources of which vary greatly between cultures across the ESCC corridor. Research encompassing these risk factors is warranted and is likely to identify primary prevention strategies.

Keywords: Africa; esophageal cancer; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
National-level map of age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in women and men (Source: Arnold et al, GUT 2015). Superimposed are the locations of reported ESCC hotspots, which are indexed in Table 1.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Africa (source Arnold 2015): A. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) (world population) overall and by gender. B. Number of cases, by gender. C. Male:Female ratios of ASRs
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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