Background: Few studies have investigated work-related stress in relation to esophageal or cardia cancers.
Methods: Our nationwide Swedish population-based case-control study included 189 and 262 esophageal and cardia adenocarcinoma cases respectively, 167 esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma cases and 820 controls. We derived each study participant's occupation of longest duration from occupational histories and applied a psychosocial job-exposure matrix. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression, in multivariable models.
Results: Job strain was positively associated with risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.0-9.8) and squamous-cell carcinoma (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.6-10.5), but not with cardia adenocarcinoma. No associations regarding demands, control, social support or iso strain were observed, except for a positive association between high control and risk of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.3).
Conclusion: Job strain seems to increase the risk of both histological types of esophageal cancer.