. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Oct 14.

Published in final edited form as: Oncogene. 2016 Feb 29;35(41):5337–5349. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.34

Table 1. Elements of tumor initiation in EAC and ESCC.

GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; HPV, human papilloma virus

Factor	EAC	ESCC
Potential cell of origin	Esophageal basal progenitor cells (via transdifferentiation or reprogramming) and/or Gastric cardia progenitor cells (via migration)	Esophageal basal progenitor cells
Precursor lesion	Intestinal metaplasia (Barrett's esophagus)	Squamous dysplasia
Location	Distal third of esophagus	Typically proximal two-thirds of esophagus
Risk exposures	Age Race (white > black) Gender (males > females) GERD Obesity Cigarette smoking (EAC < ESCC) Diet (high red meat and processed foods; low fruit and vegetables)	Age Race (black > white) Gender (males > females) Cigarette smoking (ESCC > EAC) Alcohol Nutritional deficiences HPV infection Tylosis palmaris et plantaris (inherited)