Epidemiology

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Age-standardized death from esophagus cancer per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004.[1]
  no data
  less than 3
  3-6
  6-9
  9-12
  12-15
  15-18
  18-21
  21-24
  24-27
  27-30
  30-35
  more than 35

Esophageal cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer, but some world areas have a markedly higher incidence than others: Belgium, China, Iran, Iceland, India, Japan, the United Kingdom, appear to have a higher incidence, as well as the region around the Caspian Sea.[2] The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2007, approximately 15,560 new esophageal cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States.[3]

In the United States, squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus usually affects African-American males with a history of heavy smoking or alcohol use. Up until the 1970s, squamous cell carcinoma made up the vast majority of esophageal cancer in the United States. In recent decades, incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (which is associated with Barrett's esophagus) steadily rose in the United States to the point that it has now surpassed squamous cell carcinoma in this country. In contrast to squamous cell carcimona, esophageal adenocarcimona is more common in Caucasian men (over the age of 60) than it is in African-Americans. Multiple reports indicate that esophageal adenocarcinoma incidence has increased during the past 20 years, especially in non-Hispanic white men. Esophageal adenocarcinoma age-adjusted incidence increased in New Mexico from 1973 to 1997. This increase was found in non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics and became predominant in non-Hispanic whites.[4] Esophageal cancer incidence and mortality rates for African-Americans continue to be higher than the rate for Causasians. However incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer has significantly decreased among African-Americans since the early 1980s whereas with Caucasians it has slightly increased.[5]

  1. ^ "WHO Disease and injury country estimates". World Health Organization. 2009. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ Stewart, Bernard W.; Kleihues, P. (2003). World cancer report. Lyon: IARC Press. ISBN 92-832-0411-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "What Are the Key Statistics About Cancer of the Esophagus?". Detailed Guide: Esophagus Cancer. American Cancer Society. August 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-03-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ Kenneth J. Vega, M.D., M. Mazen JamaM.D.l (September 2000). "Changing pattern of esophageal cancer incidence in New Mexico". The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 95 (9): 2352–2356. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.02329.x. PMID 11007241. Retrieved 2007-03-21.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) [dead link]
  5. ^ "Incidence and Mortality Rate Trends" (PDF). A Snapshot of Esophageal Cancer. National Cancer Institute. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-03-16. Retrieved 2007-03-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)