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Research on Esophageal Cancer in China: a Review¹

College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103

Research on esophageal cancer in the People's Republic of China is reviewed. Massive epidemiological studies revealed the prevalence of this disease in China, especially in the Taihang Mountain range areas in the north. Gullet cancer in chickens was also observed in the high-incidence area of Linxian in Henan, suggesting the presence of cancer-causing substances in the environment. Research on the etiology of this cancer has been pursued extensively. Moldy food and pickled vegetables were shown to contain carcinogens. In chemical etiology, nitrosamines and their precursors have received the most attention. The possible roles of trace element deficiencies in the soil, nutritional deficiencies, fungal infection, polycyclic hydrocarbons, and other factors in contributing to the high cancer incidence have been studied. The esophageal cancer problem has also been investigated at the cellular and immunological levels. Mass cytological surveys allowed many cases of early cancer to be detected and treated. Precancerous changes and the use of interventive therapy have been studied in animal models and patients. Prevention, early detection, and early treatment of this cancer have been pursued vigorously in many areas of China.

¹ This work was partially supported by Grant CA-16788 from the National Cancer Institute.

² Recipient of a Technology Transfer grant from the International Union Against Cancer during tenure in the Cancer Institute of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing (Peking), China, from August 1 to September 6, 1979.

Received 12/13/79. Accepted 4/23/80.

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