Alterations of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in esophageal cancer in China

摘要

Human esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and occurs at very high frequencies in certain areas of China, Iran, South Africa, Uruguay, France and Italy [1]. The mortality rate of EC in China is the highest in the world. Compared with cancer mortality in five continents, 50% of EC in the world occurs in China. In China, there are many high-incidence and high mortality rate areas of EC, located in the southern parts of the Taihang Mountains on the borders of Henan, Shansi and Hopei provinces. In particular, the Lin-xian county in Henen province has the highest age-adjusted mortality rates, 151/100000 for males and 115/100000 for females [2]. The localized clustering of this disease has been the focus of numerous epidemiological studies. These studies have revealed that several factors are associated with the incidence of EC. These factors include N-nitrosamines from food sources or endogenous formation and certain nutritional deficiencies in China [3], and a high, combined consumption of alcohol and cigarette smoking in Western countries [4].