Risk factors

It's thought that chronic irritation of your esophagus may contribute to the changes that cause esophageal cancer. Factors that cause irritation in the cells of your esophagus and increase your risk of esophageal cancer include:

• Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Smoking
• Having precancerous changes in the cells of the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus)
• Being obese
• Drinking alcohol
• Having bile reflux
• Having difficulty swallowing because of an esophageal sphincter that won't relax (achalasia)
• Having a steady habit of drinking very hot liquids
• Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
• Undergoing radiation treatment to the chest or upper abdomen