Several factors can affect your risk of cancer of the esophagus. Some increase the risk for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, and others make you more vulnerable to squamous cell carcinoma esophageal cancer.

• Age – As you age, your chances of developing esophageal cancer increase. Fewer than 15% of cases are diagnosed in patients younger than 55 years of age.
• Gender – Men are three times more likely than women to develop esophageal cancer.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – This condition can reveal itself through heartburn or pain in the center of the chest, but not always. Some people with GERD have no symptoms at all, yet they’re still at elevated risk of developing adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.
• Barrett’s esophagus – Another leading risk factor for developing esophageal cancer, Barrett’s esophagus can occur after long-term exposure to stomach acid. Eventually, the acid damages the lining of the esophagus, causing the cells in the lining to be replaced by gland cells. Gland cells are more resistant to stomach acid damage. People with Barrett’s esophagus are at an elevated risk for developing adenocarcinoma of the esophagus because the gland cells that line the esophagus can turn abnormal and malignant over time.
• Use of tobacco and alcohol – A person who smokes a pack of cigarettes per day is twice as likely to develop adenocarcinoma of the esophagus as a non-smoker. Someone who abuses alcohol is more susceptible for developing squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The risk for developing both types of cancer increases if you smoke and drink alcohol in excess.