Association of Beta-catenin gene mutations and human papillomavirus in Carcinoma of Esophagus in a high-risk population of India

ABSTRACT

Background: Esophageal cancer [EC] is the sixth leading cause of death from cancer. In high-risk regions, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of EC, and its etiology remains poorly understood. It shows uneven geographical distribution in its occurrence, reflecting the influence of local environmental conditions, lifestyle and genetic predisposition in the development of the cancer. Kashmir, in the north of India, has been described as a high-risk area for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC]. In the present investigation an attempt was made to study the role of -catenin mutations and human papillomavirus in 62 ESCC patients from Kashmir