Fumonisin as a risk factor to esophageal cancer: a review

ABSTRACT

Among several types of cancer, esophageal is the sixth most common type found worldwide, with variable incidence rates that are more prevalent in Western countries and in South Central Asia. In Brazil, this neoplasm represents 2 percent of all malignant tumors and is the fifth leading cause of death. Brazilian estimated data demonstrated that, in 2008, the incidence of this cancer will be 7,900 cases in men and 2,650, in women, which corresponds to crude mortality rates of 8.35/100,000 and 2.72/100,000, respectively. Literature data has demonstrated several risk factors to esophageal cancer, such as the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, hot beverages; malnutrition; obesity and gastric esophageal reflux, which causes Barrett´s esophagus. Fumonisins play significant roles in this neoplasm. Fumonisins are substances found in moldy foods, which are potential sources of nitrosamines, and are present in moldy corn. This substance was isolated in regions with high incidence of esophageal cancer in 1988, and currently is considered an important risk factor to esophageal cancer.