What diseases of the esophagus are likely to cause esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer mostly occurs in people over 40 years old, with a wide range of incidence and gradually appearing at a younger age. Esophageal cancer is usually caused by some esophageal diseases, which eventually lead to cancer due to lack of timely treatment. So, what esophageal diseases are likely to cause esophageal cancer?

Diseases that may cause esophageal cancer

Hiatal hernia : It is a common esophageal disease. Its onset is mainly due to the expansion of the esophageal hiatus and the increase of intra-abdominal pressure, which causes the stomach and other abdominal organs to enter the mediastinum. Hiatal hernia patients suffer from reflux esophagitis and esophageal ulcers due to gastric reflux, and long-term esophagitis leads to esophageal stenosis. It takes a certain amount of time for hiatal hernia to develop into cancer, and the incidence rate ranges from 0.32% to 10%.

Esophageal diverticula : Esophageal diverticula are prone to esophageal cancer. People may not know much about this disease. This disease is also a type of esophageal disease. When esophageal diverticula become cancerous, it will induce esophageal cancer. It is generally more common in pharyngeal diverticula, but it is also seen in diverticula in other parts. Canceration occurs in the diverticula or at the diverticular opening. Diverticular canceration is mainly due to the slow emptying of the esophagus in the diverticula. The stimulation of residual food causes chronic inflammation and ulcers in the diverticula or at the diverticular opening, which promotes canceration. Esophageal polyps and papilloma: This type of esophageal disease is often prone to canceration, thereby causing esophageal cancer. This disease is mainly a benign tumor that grows into the cavity, which is relatively rare. The tumor is connected to the esophageal wall with a pedicle or a short stalk, and grows relatively slowly.

Cardiac spasm: This esophageal disease is also prone to esophageal cancer. It is mainly caused by the absence or degeneration of the myenteric plexus in the esophageal wall, which causes esophageal neuromuscular dysfunction. When food enters the esophagus, the relaxation reaction of the gastric cardia is weakened or insensitive, so the food cannot enter the stomach. The chronic irritation and inflammation of the mucosa caused by the retention in the esophagus are related factors for the occurrence of esophageal cancer.