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Epidemiology

Fish consumption and risk of esophageal cancer and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages 147–154 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives:

Inconsistent results regarding the association between fish intake and risk of subtypes of esophageal cancer (EC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), have been reported. To provide a quantitative assessment of this association, we summarized the evidence from observational studies.

Subjects/methods:

Relevant studies were identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE until 31 May, 2012. Summary relative risks (SRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled with a random-effects model. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics.

Results:

A total of 24 studies (21 case–control and 3 cohort studies) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The SRRs of ESCC were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66–0.99) for those in the highest fish consumption category compared with those in the lowest consumption category, with significant heterogeneity among studies (Pheterogeneity=0.007, I2=51.9%). Subgroup analysis suggested that a weak association between fish consumption and ESCC risk was shown in hospital-based case–control studies, but not in population-based case–control or cohort studies. According to high vs low analysis, fish consumption had no relationship with EAC risk (SRR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.61–1.22).

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that fish consumption is not appreciably related to risk of both ESCC and EAC.

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Author notes

  1. Y J Han, J Li and W Huang: These authors contributed equally to this paper.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

    Y J Han, Y Fang & Z' E Liao

  2. Department of Preclinical Medicine, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

    Y J Han

  3. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China

    W Huang & L N Xiao

  4. Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China

    J Li

  5. Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

    Y Fang

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Han, Y., Li, J., Huang, W. et al. Fish consumption and risk of esophageal cancer and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 147–154 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2012.213

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