A miner develops cancer of the esophagus. Ten years before, he had been exposed to radiation when he worked for a year in a mine. He had also smoked cigarettes for a number of years, but had quit five years ago. Which statement best describes the miner’s condition?

ATests can determine whether the cancer was caused by exposure at the mine or by compounds in cigarette smoke so that a treatment can be determined.

BCancer caused by exposure at the mine would have appeared while he was at the mine, so smoking is the more likely cause.

CThe cancer is likely the result of natural exposure to radiation in the environment and not related to either the mine or smoking.

DIt is unlikely that a specific cause can be determined, but the treatment would likely be the same in either case.

Cancer can be defined as a progressive disease, which involves uncontrolled cell growth with ability to spread or invade other parts organs of the body. It is resulted due to a number of mutations that lead to change in genetic material and cause destruction of cell cycle regulation.

As the miner had been exposed with both radiation and tobacco, it is quite tough to determined a specific cause for his cancer. This may be due to radiation or smoke or due to other factors.

Although treatment for cancer caused by either way would be same as it will target the cancer cells and kill them by prevent their growth and division.

Thus, the correct answer is option (D).