Cigarette smoking and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma

According to one large recently published study, a significant risk factor for the development of adenocarcinoma (Barrett's esophagus associated cancer) of the esophagus is cigarette smoking. This study reported that smokers had more than two times the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma as compared to non-smokers. For heavier and longer use of cigarettes, this risk increased. Surprisingly, in this study, smoking was a risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma for up to 30 years after smoking was stopped, although somewhat less of a risk than for current smokers. The results of this large study implicating the use of cigarettes as a significant risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma is supportive of the results of other similar population-based studies.