Statistics of Esophageal Cancer

Executive Summary

Esophageal cancer is the seventh most common cause of cancer death among men. It accounts for 1% of cancers diagnosed in the United States. It is very common in white people, who are more likely to diagnose with adenocarcinoma. Black people have more chances of being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. The overall 5-year survival rate for people with esophageal cancer is 20%. Treatment for the disease has improved slowly. In the 1960s – 1970s, the overall 5-year survival rate was 5%. The 5-year survival rate of people with cancer located only in the esophagus is 47%. Those with the disease spread to surrounding tissues or organs, or the regional lymph nodes are 25% when spread to distant body parts rate is 5%.

Statistics of Esophageal Cancer

The disease is very common in white people, who are more likely to diagnose adenocarcinoma. Black people have more chances of being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Esophageal cancer accounts for 1% of cancers diagnosed in the United States ​1​. Over the past ten years, incidence rates have been dropping slightly. The disease is common in other parts of the world.

Esophageal cancer is the seventh most common cause of cancer death among men ​2​.

The 5-year survival rate reveals what percent of people live at least five years after the cancer is found. The overall 5-year survival rate for people with esophageal cancer is 20% ​3​. Treatment for the disease has improved slowly. In the 1960s – 1970s, the overall 5-year survival rate was 5%.

However, survival rates depend on various factors, including the cancer stage when it is first diagnosed. The 5-year survival rate of people having cancer located only in the esophagus is 47%. The 5-year survival rate for those with the disease spread to surrounding tissues or organs or the regional lymph nodes are 25%. If it has spread to distant body parts, the survival rate is 5%.

It is noteworthy that statistics on the survival rates for people with esophageal cancer are estimated.

References

  1. 1.
    Cook MB, Chow WH, Devesa SS. Oesophageal cancer incidence in the United States by race, sex, and histologic type, 1977–2005. Br J Cancer. Published online August 11, 2009:855-859. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6605246
  2. 2.
    Lin Y, Totsuka Y, He Y, et al. Epidemiology of Esophageal Cancer in Japan and China. Journal of Epidemiology. Published online 2013:233-242. doi:10.2188/jea.je20120162
  3. 3.
    Martin JT, Mahan A, Zwischenberger JB, McGrath PC, Tzeng CWD. Should Gastric Cardia Cancers Be Treated with Esophagectomy or Total Gastrectomy? A Comprehensive Analysis of 4,996 NSQIP/SEER Patients. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Published online April 2015:510-520. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.12.024