Deck 16: Epidemiology of Esophageal Cancer

Question 1

During 2018, 572,034 new cases of esophageal cancer were diagnosed in the world population (399,699 in men and 172,335 in women), and 508,585 people died from this malignancy (357,190 men and 151,395 women).

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Approximately 70% of cases and deaths from esophageal cancer are male, and the global age-adjusted annual mortality rate is nearly threefold higher in men than women (8.3 per 100,000 versus 3.0 per 100,000 in 2018).

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Chronic drinking and smoking are major risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

In northern Iran, annual rates of esophageal cancer exceed 100 cases per 100,000, and rates in women are higher than men.

Question 5

The high rates of esophageal cancer in the esophageal cancer belt of the Middle East and China are associated with regular intake of hot spicy beverages.

Question 6

Barrett's esophagus is caused by H.Pylori infection of the stomach.

Question 7

Without treatment, Barrett's esophagus may progress to adenocarcinoma.

Question 8

Conditions that predispose to Barrett's esophagus include obesity and GERD.

Question 9

Barrett's esophagus, a premalignant lesion, increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma by:

A) 2-fold.
B) 10-fold.
C) 20-fold.
D) more than 30-fold.

Question 10

Elimination of what bacterium from the stomach appears to increase the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma?

A) Staphylococcus aureus
B) Streptococcal pyogenes
C) Helicobacter pylori
D) Enterobacter

Question 11

Mycotic contamination of what grain is associated with increasing rates of esophageal cancer in southern Africa?

A) Rice
B) Maize (corn)
C) Wheat
D) Sorghum

Question 12

Which of the following factors does not increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the upper esophagus?

A) Regularly drinking extremely hot spicy beverages
B) GERD
C) Chronic cigarette smoking
D) Chronic alcohol abuse

Question 13

Which of the following is not a major risk factor for the development of adenocarcinoma of the lower esophagus?

A) GERD
B) Obesity
C) Barrett's esophagus
D) Chronic H. Pylori infection of the stomach

Question 14

What syndrome consists of achalasia, formation of esophageal webs, and iron deficiency anemia?

A) Sprue
B) Scurvy
C) Plummer-Vinson
D) Pellagra

Question 15

Describe the global burden of esophageal cancer.

Question 16

Distinguish between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Question 17

Discuss the risk factors for squamous cell esophageal cancer.

Question 18

Discuss the risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Question 19

Describe the role of inflammation and the expression of COX-2 in the genesis of Barrett's esophagus.

Question 20

Discuss global strategies for the prevention of esophageal cancer.