Investigating the Association Between Microbiota and Esophageal/Oropharyngeal Cancer

Background: Esophageal cancer commonly occurs in middle-aged man. It is ranked to the 6th common cancer and 5th cancer-related death in Taiwanese male, and sometimes co-exist with oropharyngeal cancer, which impacts our national economics and productivity a lot. To improve the prognosis of esophageal cancer, we should contribute to early diagnosis and improved treatment of the disease. Recent studies showed oral and esophageal dysbiosis may lead to oropharyngeal and esophageal cancer. Aim: To investigate whether oral microbiota is similar to esophageal microbiota. To investigate whether oral microbiota can be a non-invasive biomarker of oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, synchronous cancer and chemoradiation resistance. And whether probiotic supplement can improve oral/esophageal dysbiosis in order to prevent esophageal cancer. Study design: This study compares the oral/esophageal microbiota composition between oropharyngeal cancer cases, esophageal cancer cases, synchronous cancer cases and non-cancer controls. In addition, the link between oral and esophageal microbiota will be explored. The study will identify the microbiota related with esophageal cancer development. We will also validate the effect of probiotic supplementation on improving oral/esophageal dysbiosis. Expected result and significance: Examination of oral microbiota has the potential to become a non-invasive tool for oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, and synchronous cancer. Probiotic supplementation has the potential to improve oral dysbiosis.

Sex

All

Minimum age

20 Years

Maximum age

99 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Eligible participants included patients aged ≥ 20 years with oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, or dyspeptic patients without cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with other cancer than esophageal cancer or oropharyngeal cancer.
* Patients with bleeding tendency, such as platelet \< 50k, PTinr \> 2, or using anti-coagulants.
* Patients with use of antibiotics within the past 2 weeks

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