Factors responsible for the increasing incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Amongst white population of developed countries, the prevalence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma has dramatically increased during the last four decades. During this period, the increased damage to the oesophageal mucosa with gastroesophageal reflux could result from increased acid output (due to absence of Helicobacter pylori in the gastric mucosa with excellent sanitation) and/or increased frequency of reflux due to an "epidemic" of overweight (65% of the population). The most important environmental factors, responsible for the fastest increasing cancer in humans, are discussed.