Esophageal cancer and associated comorbidities, habits and risk factors among sudanese patients

This study investigated the association between various comorbidities, lifestyle habits, and esophageal cancer (EC) among Sudanese patients. A case study was conducted at the National Cancer Institute in Wad Medani, Gezira State, Sudan, between 2021 and 2022. Data were collected from 50 EC patients using a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. The majority of the patients were female (64%), over 60 years old (46%), and married (62%). A statistically significant association was found between EC and the consumption of coffee (p<0.001), tea (p=0.037), and carbonated beverages (p=0.061). There was no significant association between EC and the consumption of processed foods (p=0.756). A statistically significant association was found between EC and the use of tobacco (p=0.006), but not with smoking (p=0.441) or alcohol consumption (p=0.594). No significant association was found between EC and the presence of comorbidities such as hypertension (p=0.404), cardiovascular disease (p=0.565), or diabetes (p=0.056). This study provides valuable insights into the risk factors for EC in Sudan and highlights the importance of considering these factors in the prevention and control of EC. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms.