Esophageal cancer in north rift valley of western Kenya

摘要

BackgroundCancer of esophagus is the 9^th most common cancer in the World and the 5^th most common cancer in developing countries. It is aggressive with poor prognosis especially in its late stage. Cancer of esophagus is geographically unevenly distributed with high incidence found within sharply demarcated geographic confines. Earlier reports from this country indicated relatively high proportion of cases in residents of Western and Central provinces with low incidence in the residents of the Rift Valley Province. This does not seem to be in agreement with our findings. Several aetiological factors have been associated with this type of cancer although their definitive mechanistic role is not clear.