Oesophageal Cancer

Gastro-oesophageal cancer remains a devastating diagnosis for the patient and a challenge for the clinician. Although rare, they cause disproportionate mortality in comparison to more commonly encountered malignancies. Survival figures remain relatively poor, partially due to the fact that significant proportion of patients present with advanced disease. The incidence of gastro-oesophageal cancer has striking geographical variation as does the gold standard treatment. Here we explore the epidemiology, aetiology and clinical aspects of this group of cancers. Further, we explore the treatment practices in different parts of the world and assess their impact on survival Cancer of the oesophagus is the eight commonest worldwide, affecting more than 450 000 people. While incidence is increasing overall 5-year survival remains poor making this relatively rare cancer the 6th leading cause of cancer related death world-wide. Incidence is highest in the Far East, and in China it is as high as 100 cases per 100 000 of the population. In comparison, incidence is far less in the Western world, with 16 470 cases being diagnosed in the USA in 2009 and 14 530 mortalities in the same year. Oesophageal cancer is group comprising several histological types, chiefly squamous cell (SCC), adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma and other rarer types. SCC remains the commonest type worldwide, although adenocarcinoma is common in Western countries.

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Last date updated on September, 2024