What Is Esophageal Cancer, and Who Gets It?

Author and atheist Christopher Hitchens, 62, died Dec. 15 from esophageal cancer. Hitchens was famously atheistic, even in the face of his own mortality. His final piece was written even as he succumbed to pain and the cancer took all of his strength.

The New York Times reports Hitchens' cause of death was complications from esophageal cancer. Here's a look at the disease from a statistical standpoint.

What is esophageal cancer?


The esophagus is the organ that delivers food from the throat to the stomach. The National Cancer Institute states esophageal cancer forms in the lining of the esophagus. There are two types of esophageal cancer--one that forms in the flat cells that line the organ and the type that forms in specialized cells that naturally secrete mucus in the throat.

Who gets esophageal cancer?


The American Cancer Society states cancer of the esophagus can occur anywhere along the lining of the organ. Although rare, more and more people are getting this type of cancer in the United States.

Around 17,000 new cases of esophageal cancer were diagnosed in 2011. Around 14,700 people will die of the disease in 2011. The most common risk factors for esophageal cancer are smoking and frequent alcohol use.

A new factor being observed in America is obesity. Acid reflux disease can also lead to esophageal cancer. Diets low in fruits and vegetables can also be a risk factor.

Men have a three times greater risk for getting esophageal cancer than women. The reason is that men use alcohol and tobacco more than women. Age is also a factor. People older than 55 are responsible for 85 percent of esophageal cancer cases.

Five-year survival rates for esophageal cancer are 37 percent if the cancer is localized. The rate drops to 17 percent for all stages of the cancer.

Which famous people have had the disease?


MSNBC reported Ron Silver died of esophageal cancer in March of 2009. Silver was a regular on the television show "The West Wing" and was 62 at the time of his death. Japanese actor Mako, an Academy Award nominee in 1966, also passed away from complications of esophageal cancer. He was 72 when he died.

The Oral Cancer Foundation states one of the most prominent actors in Hollywood died from esophageal cancer. Humphrey Bogart succumbed to the disease at age 58. The underlying cause of his cancer was smoking cigarettes.

The New York Times reported Robert Kardashian, Sr. died of esophageal in 2003. He was O.J. Simpson's lawyer shortly after Simpson's ex-wife's murder. He was also the biological father of famous reality television stars Kim, Khloe and Kourtnery Kardashian.