Oesophageal cancer in Australia
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Oesophageal cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C15.
Estimated number of new cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed in 2021
1,649 = 1,201 males + 448 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
1.1%
Estimated number of deaths from oesophageal cancer in 2021
1,400 = 1,036 males + 364 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
2.8%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
23%
People living with oesophageal cancer at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
2,571
New cases
In 2017, there were 1,570 new cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,142 males and 427 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 1,649 new cases of oesophageal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,201 males and 448 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 173 (or 0.58%) risk of being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 117 or 0.85% for males and 1 in 333 or 0.30% for females).
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 5.4 cases per 100,000 persons (8.3 for males and 2.7 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 5.1 cases per 100,000 persons (7.8 for males and 2.6 for females). The incidence rate for oesophageal cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 75–79 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for oesophageal cancer, 1982 to 2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for oesophageal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
The number of new cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed increased from 537 (317 males and 220 females) in 1982 to 1,570 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased slightly from 4.4 cases per 100,000 persons (5.7 for males and 3.2 for females) in 1982 to 5.4 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, there were 1,392 deaths from oesophageal cancer in Australia (1,029 males and 363 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 1,400 deaths (1,036 males and 364 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 210 (or 0.48%) risk of dying with oesophageal cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 138 or 0.73% for males and 1 in 448 or 0.22% for females).
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.1 for males and 2.1 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 4.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.8 for males and 2.0 for females). The mortality rate for oesophageal cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for oesophageal cancer, 1982 to 2019, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for oesophageal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
The number of deaths from oesophageal cancer increased from 527 (338 males and 189 females) in 1982 to 1,392 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.4 for males and 2.9 for females) in 1982 and 4.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with oesophageal cancer had a 23% chance (22% for males and 23% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for oesophageal cancer improved from 12% to 23%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for oesophageal cancer, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for oesophageal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)
Prevalence
At the end of 2016, there were 990 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer that year, 2,571 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 4,587 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information, see Oesophageal cancer on the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.