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A Possible Factor in the Production of Carcinoma of the Esophagus

EARLE B. KAY, M.D.; FREDERICK S. CROSS, M.D.

AMA Arch Intern Med. 1956;98(4):475-481.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

The etiology of cancer is yet unsolved. Similarly, the relative importance of hereditary and environmental factors remains to be proved. There are variations in the incidence of cancer dependent upon racial, sex, hereditary, geographic, environmental, economic, social, and occupational factors. Chronic irritation to the skin and mucous membranes has long been thought to be a possible carcinogenic agent, whether this be traumatic, chemical, thermal, or bacterial. The relationship of chronic esophagitis to the subsequent development of malignancy has never been too well emphasized.

Reports¹ have shown that patients afflicted with carcinoma of the esophagus come generally from a lower economic strata. This is probably a reflection of dietary habits. There seems to be a sex variation in that males for the most part have a higher incidence than females. However, in certain geographic locations, such as Mexico and certain parts of Scotland, females are equally affected. As Steiner² . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Cleveland

From the Surgical Service of Saint Luke's and St. Vincent Charity Hospitals.

Footnotes
Received for publication April 12, 1956.

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