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Data from several studies confirms that asbestos exposure could increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer, although other studies conclude that there may be inadequate evidence to definitely establish a connection.

In a study of 4,427 shipbreaking workers exposed to asbestos, 436 subjects were diagnosed with cancer and 16 of those developed cancer of the esophagus.[1] Groups in the study with high asbestos exposure had a statistically significant increase in their risk for esophageal cancer. More importantly, the risk showed a dose-dependent relationship with exposure, meaning greater exposure correlated with higher risk.

Another study examined esophageal cancer patient cohorts and analyzed their relationship with occupational exposures. Groups exposed to asbestos had double the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus compared to the average person.[2] These findings were confirmed by a second occupational exposure study.[3]

Yet another study, this one conducted in the Netherlands, found that “exposure to high levels of asbestos was statistically significantly associated with risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC),” even after adjusting for age and family history factors.[4]

Despite this strong evidence, other cohort studies yield inconsistent results. A review of several studies found that “the evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between asbestos exposure and esophageal cancer.”[5]

The chief discrepancy the review had was that available studies either did not control adequately for outside factors, like tobacco use, or were unable to establish a dose-dependent relationship. Furthermore, the review noted that deliberate exposure of asbestos fibers to animals or tissues failed to yield the biological development of esophageal cancer.

Study results like these are likely why the Institute of Medicine (IOM) ruled in 2006 that there is inadequate evidence to draw any sort of conclusion regarding asbestos and esophageal cancer.[6]

Documents from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) appeal similarly concluded that the patient appellant could not conclusively link his development of esophageal cancer to his exposure to asbestos during military service.[7]

In conclusion, there appears to be some link between an increased risk of developing cancers of the esophagus after prolonged exposure to asbestos. The link may lack ample evidence, but it is established based on several dependable studies.

[1] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0133128&type=printable

[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104084281300259X

[3] https://oem.bmj.com/content/57/5/325

[4] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ijc.28817

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20339/

[6] http://www.cancernetwork.com/esophageal-cancer/iom-panel-says-asbestos-exposure-can-cause-cancer-larynx

[7] https://www.va.gov/vetapp15/Files1/1508662.txt