Esophageal cancer begins in the esophagus, the long, muscular tube that accommodates food from your throat down into your stomach. Tumors of the esophagus might not be accompanied by symptoms even until the cancer has already spread, thus making early detection quite challenging.
Esophageal cancer is more common in males, and the risk factors include smoking and excessive alcohol use. Early-stage cancer may be treated with surgery, whereas chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immune therapy can be the approach to treating advanced esophageal cancer.
The aim of treatment is either the removal of the cancer, if possible, or symptom management and improvement in the quality of life when the cancer cure isn’t possible.
Prevalence of Esophageal Cancer
It is the 11th most common cancer worldwide, being the 7th most common in men and the 16th in women. [1] It has been estimated that during 2020, there were 604,000 new cases of esophageal cancer and that 544,100 deaths were directly related to this cancer worldwide. [2]
The incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer differ greatly depending on the region in which one resides; the highest incidence and mortality rates occur in Eastern Asia and parts of Africa. Based on current trends, an estimated 957,000 new cases will be diagnosed worldwide by 2040.
Esophageal Cancer Survival Statistics
Survival rates for esophageal cancer are generally low, with an overall five-year survival rate of approximately 20%. [3] If the disease is caught early, survival rates are significantly improved, with estimates as high as 47% when the cancer is at an early stage. Generally speaking, if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, survival drops as low as 5% on the five-year survival rate.
Prognosis – the likely course and outcome of the disease – is unique for each patient. Nevertheless, survival rates span a broad spectrum based on preoperative factors that involve the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed, tumor location, and the extent to which surgery can remove the cancer.
Esophageal Cancer Costs
Treatment for esophageal cancer can be extremely costly and vary by country and hospital, especially in the final stages of the disease. According to one study that assessed treatment costs from 1998 to 2013, the cost of care was highest during the terminal phase of the disease, averaging roughly $18,000 per month. [4]
In fact, the initial treatment phases for cancer, along with any subsequent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, cost an average of about $7,700 per month in the US. Later stages, when the patients are more stable, cost an average of $3,000 per month for treatments in the US. The treatment in the US is comparatively more expensive than in other countries.
It also depends on the stage of the tumor, for which Stage IV currently holds the most expensive initial treatments. Advancements in minimally invasive treatments and targeted screenings are likely to positively affect these costs in the future.
Where to Find More Esophageal Cancer Information
If you’re looking for credible information on esophageal cancer, the following are some of the best resources:
Best Websites for Research and Stats
- National Cancer Institute (NIH)
The National Cancer Institute has extensive information on esophageal cancer. It contains links to the treatment options, stages, and more. Being from the U.S. government, this source is quite thorough in its information and can be very handy for its images that help to understand the esophagus anatomy. Visit their detailed patient guide on Esophageal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®). [5]
- Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK offers a detailed guide to esophageal cancer, with sections on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. The pages are well-organized, which makes Cancer Research UK a very useful site to find the information you may need in quite a short time without extra searching. Visit Oesophageal Cancer. [6]
- National Library of Medicine
The National Library of Medicine has highly technical and detailed information about esophageal cancer. It is intended for medical professionals, as well as the general public, but only if one wants highly detailed content. Their comprehensive guide about Esophageal Cancer can be found here. [7]
Best Websites for In-Depth Exploration
- American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society has well-illustrated information on esophageal cancer, including downloadable PDFs and detailed sections on causes, risk factors, and treatment options. This is a highly informative site for those who would like to delve into the subject in great detail. To read more, visit Esophagus Cancer. [8]
- Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic presents highly organized content on esophageal cancer, with clear sections covering symptoms, causes, and treatments. If one wants to read a comprehensive yet understandable resource, see Esophageal Cancer. [9]
- Johns Hopkins Medicine
Johns Hopkins Medicine provides a brief overview on esophageal cancer. It offers a credible starting point for learning about the disease. For more, check out their article on Esophageal Cancer. [10]
Best Websites for Quick Reads
- Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic has short, bulleted information on esophageal cancer. All of the major points are outlined, and the format allows for easy skimming. For a concise yet thorough overview, go to Esophageal Cancer. [11]
- WebMD
WebMD contributes a well-organized, complete guide to esophageal cancer with concise explanations of symptoms, causes, treatment options, and all other relevant information. It’s easy to use and ideal for a quick, informative read. Visit Esophageal Cancer: Everything You Need to Know. [12]
- National Health Service (NHS)
The UK’s NHS portal has a simple, easy-to-follow overview of esophageal cancer; symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment are all separately headed. It’s a concise resource for those seeking quick access to specific information. Visit Oesophageal Cancer for more. [13]
- Cancer Council
This Australian website provides comprehensive information on esophageal cancer, from symptoms to diagnosis to treatment. It clearly outlines in detail what a patient can expect and is thus an excellent resource for those wanting a structured and detailed approach. Explore Oesophageal Cancer. [14]
The Bottom Line
Esophageal cancer is a critical health disease, and it has high health and economic impacts. Its global prevalence continues to rise, and while survival rates remain low, early detection can improve outcomes. Advanced treatment options seemingly assure life extension and the improvement in the quality of the affected patients. For more information, consult the trusted sources mentioned above.
Source
- “Oesophageal Cancer Statistics | World Cancer Research Fund International.” WCRF International, www.wcrf.org/cancer-trends/oesophageal-cancer-statistics/.
- Morgan, Eileen . The Global Landscape of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Incidence and Mortality in 2020 and Projections to 2040: New Estimates from GLOBOCAN 2020. www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(22)00608-4/fulltext.
- “Esophageal Cancer – National Cancer Institute.” Www.cancer.gov, 14 July 2021, www.cancer.gov/pediatric-adult-rare-tumor/rare-tumors/rare-digestive-system-tumors/esophageal.
- Naveed. “Untangling the Financial Costs of Esophageal Cancer.” Cancer Network, Cancer Network, 5 Nov. 2019, www.cancernetwork.com/view/untangling-financial-costs-esophageal-cancer Accessed 19 Sept. 2024.
- National Cancer Institute. “Esophageal Cancer Treatment.” National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov, 2019, www.cancer.gov/types/esophageal/patient/esophageal-treatment-pdq.
- Cancer Research UK. “Oesophageal Cancer | Cancer Research UK.” Cancerresearchuk.org, 2016, www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/oesophageal-cancer.
- Recio-Boiles, Alejandro, and Hani M. Babiker. “Esophageal Cancer.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459267/.
- “Esophagus Cancer | Esophageal Cancer.” Www.cancer.org, www.cancer.org/cancer/types/esophagus-cancer.html.
- Mayo Clinic. “Esophageal Cancer – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/esophageal-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20356084.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Esophageal Cancer.” John Hopkins Medicine, 2019, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/esophageal-cancer
- Cleveland Clinic. “Esophageal Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Tests and Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 6 Sept. 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6137-esophageal-cancer.
- Ratini, Melinda. “Esophageal Cancer.” WebMD, 20 Jan. 2022, www.webmd.com/cancer/esophageal-cancer.
- NHS Choices. “Overview – Oesophageal Cancer.” NHS, 2019, www.nhs.uk/conditions/oesophageal-cancer/.
- “Oesophageal Cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments.” Www.cancer.org.au, www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/oesophageal-cancer.
