Oesophageal cancer survival statistics

The latest age-standardised relative survival rates for oesophageal cancer in England during 2005-2009 show that 40.2% of men are expected to survive their disease for at least one year, falling to 12.5% surviving five years or more (Table 3.1).1,2 The survival rates for women are similar, with 39.9% expected to survive for one year or more. Five-year age-standardised data is not available for females but the un-standardised rates show that 12.6% survive their disease for at least five years. Broadly similar rates have been reported for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.3-5

Table 3.1: Oesophageal Cancer (C15), Age-Standardised One-, Five- and Ten-Year Relative Survival Rates, Adults (Aged 15-99), England 2005-2009 and England and Wales 2007

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*Five-year survival rates are not age-standardised
**Ten-year survival rates have been predicted for patients diagnosed in 2007 (using the hybrid approach)

A common misconception is to treat five-year survival rates as ‘cure’ rates. However, for oesophageal cancer survival continues to fall beyond five years after diagnosis (Table 3.1).6

The five-year relative survival rates for oesophageal cancer are among the lowest of the 21 most common cancers in England.1 A contributing factor to the low survival rates of oesophageal cancer is that usually when the disease is at an early stage, and easiest to treat, there are very few symptoms. These symptoms tend to appear later when the cancer has progressed. It is therefore vital to diagnose oesophageal cancer at an early stage, before the development of symptoms, when treatment can dramatically improve prognosis.6 Although 46% of cases of oesophageal cancer are diagnosed by either GP referral or via a two-week wait,7 the survival rates are still quite low.

section updated 30/04/12

As with nearly all cancers, relative survival for oesophageal cancer is higher in younger men and women, even after taking account of the higher background mortality in older people. The reasons for this are likely to include a combination of better general health, more effective response to treatment and earlier diagnosis in younger people overall. Differences in underlying tumour biology may also play a part.

The five-year relative survival rates for oesophageal cancer in men in England during 2005-2009 are low in all age groups. It ranged from 18% in 15-49 year olds to 4% in 80-99 year olds (Figure 3.1).1 Relative survival was similar in women for most of the age groups, ranging from 21% in 50-59 year olds to 4% in 80-99 year olds.

Figure 3.1: Oesophageal Cancer (C15), Five-Year Relative Survival Rates by Age, England 2005-2009

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section updated 30/04/12

As with the majority of cancers, relative survival for oesophageal cancer is improving. This can generally be attributed to faster diagnosis and improvements in treatment. However, there is still scope for improvement and increasing cancer survival rates remains a major priority of Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer.8 An outcome of this Strategy is the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI), which is a public sector/third sector partnership between the Department of Health, National Cancer Action Team, and Cancer Research UK. The role of NAEDI is to promote the earlier diagnosis of cancer and cancers with low survival rates such as oesophageal cancer, will be a priority.

One-year relative survival rates have been used as an indicator of early diagnosis, since death before one year could be due to the disease being diagnosed at a late stage. In men, one-year relative survival rates for oesophageal cancer increased from 15% in England and Wales during 1971-1975 to 40.2% in England during 2005-2009 (Figure 3.2).1,10-12 In women, one-year relative survival rates increased from 17% to 39.9% during the same time periods, respectively. 

Figure 3.2: Oesophageal Cancer (C15), Age-standardised One-Year Relative Survival Rates, England and Wales 1971-1995 and England 1996-2009

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*Survival rates are for England only from 1996 onwards

While relative survival rates are still influenced by early diagnosis after five years, they are also strongly dependent on the success of treatment. In men, five-year relative survival rates for oesophageal cancer increased from 3% in England and Wales during 1971-1975 to 12.5% in England during 2005-2009 (Figure 3.3).1,10-12 In women, five-year relative survival rates increased from 5% to 12.6**% during the same time periods, respectively.

Figure 3.3: Oesophageal Cancer (C15), Age-Standardised Five-Year Relative Survival Rates, England and Wales 1971-1995 and England 1996-2009

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*Survival rates are for England only from 1996 onwards
**Survival rates for 2005-2009 are not age-standardised

Ten-year relative survival rates for men diagnosed with oesophageal cancer increased from 3% in England and Wales during 1971-1975 to a predicted** 10.7% in England in 2007 (Figure 3.4).12-14 In women, ten-year relative survival rates increased from 4% to a predicted** 9.3% during the same time periods, respectively.

Figure 3.4: Oesophageal Cancer (C15), Age-Standardised Ten-Year Relative Survival Rates, England and Wales 1971-1995 and Predicted 2007 and England 1996-2003

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*Survival rates are not age-standardised from 1971-1985
**Ten-year survival rates have been predicted for patients diagnosed in 2007 (using the hybrid approach)

section updated 30/04/12