Oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide. An estimated 480,000 people across the world were diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2008, accounting for 4% of the total.1 The developing countries carry the biggest burden of oesophageal cancer, with more than eight out of ten (83%) cases being diagnosed there in 2008. 

There are two main histological types of oesophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is associated with tobacco smoking and alcohol; and adenocarcinoma (AC), which is related to reflux disease and excess bodyweight.2-6 SCC accounts for the vast majority of oesophageal cancers diagnosed in low- and middle-income countries.2 Since the 1970s the incidence of SCC has remained stable or decreased in most Western countries, while that of AC has increased (particularly in men).7-9 In some Western countries, such as the USA and the UK, AC has now overtaken SCC to become the dominant histology. The UK has the highest reported AC incidence rates in the world.9

Oesophageal cancer incidence worldwide is more than double in men than in women (rate ratio 2.4 : 1.0).1 In both sexes there are more than fifteen-fold differences in incidence between the different regions of the world (Figures 9.1 and 9.2), with rates ranging from 1 per 100,000 in Western Africa to 22 per 100,000 in Southern Africa in males in 2008, and 1 per 100,000 in Southern Europe to 12 per 100,000 in Southern Africa in females.1 The countries with the highest incidence rates in 2008 were South Africa and China in males (24 and 23 per 100,000, respectively) and Mongolia in females (16 per 100,000). The UK was 30th highest out of 184 countries worldwide for males and joint 38th highest for females.1

Figure 9.1: Oesophageal Cancer (C15), World Age-Standardised Incidence and Mortality Rates, Males, Regions of the World, 2008 Estimates

Download this chart XLS (69KB)

Figure 9.2: Oesophageal Cancer (C15), World Age-Standardised Incidence and Mortality Rates, Females, Regions of the World, 2008 Estimates

Download this chart XLS (71KB)

section updated 19/09/11

Oesophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of death from cancer worldwide, estimated to be responsible for nearly 410,000 deaths in 2008.1 Oesophageal cancer mortality closely follows the geographical patterns for incidence (Figures 9.1 and 9.2), with the highest mortality rates occurring in Southern Africa in 2008 (21 and 11 per 100,000 in males and females, respectively).1 The UK was joint 30th highest out of 184 countries worldwide for males and 41st highest for females.1

section updated 19/09/11