Fungi are one of the causes of esophageal cancer

The incidence of esophageal cancer has remained high. Against this backdrop, research into its causes has become increasingly in-depth. Through long-term, multiple investigations and studies in areas with a high incidence of esophageal cancer, it has been found that a variety of carcinogenic fungi can be isolated from food in these high-incidence areas, from the upper digestive tract of esophageal cancer patients, or from resected esophageal cancer specimens.

At present, the most common fungi are aflatoxin B1, Penicillium arcuate, Geotrichum candidum, etc. It is recognized that aflatoxin B1 has the effect of causing esophageal cancer. Studies have shown that the incidence of esophageal cancer in high-incidence areas is related to fungal esophagitis and fungal contamination of food. Food in high-incidence areas of esophageal cancer is often contaminated by aflatoxin, Penicillium arcuate, Geotrichum candidum, etc. These fungi can not only reduce nitrates to nitrites, but also decompose proteins, increase the amine content in food, and promote the synthesis of nitrosamines and their precursors, which are important predisposing factors for the onset of esophageal cancer. It can be seen that fungi are also one of the pathogenic factors of esophageal cancer. Here we remind everyone to always pay attention in daily life, learn to store food scientifically, and properly handle or discard it once it becomes moldy to avoid fungal infection.