Oesophageal cancer in The Netherlands: increasing incidence and mortality but improving survival

Abstract

Aim: Oesophageal cancer is highly lethal with a 5-year relative survival of 10-15%. An increasing incidence has been reported for several parts of the Western world. We studied time trends in incidence, mortality and survival for oesophageal cancer in the Netherlands during 1989-2003.

Methods: Data on incidence and survival were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and mortality data from Statistics Netherlands.

Results: The age standardised incidence increased by 3.4% (p<0.001) and 1.9% (p=0.003) per year for males and females, respectively. This increase was almost exclusively caused by oesophageal adenocarcinomas. Age standardised mortality increased 2.5% (p<0.001) per year among males and 1.7% (p=0.002) per year among females. Relative survival improved significantly from 8.1% in 1989-1993 to 12.6% in 1999-2003 (p<0.001). Adjusted for age, stage, tumour location and surgery, the excess risk of death decreased by 22%.

Conclusion: Oesophageal carcinoma incidence is rising in the Netherlands. Mortality increased at a slightly lower pace due to improving survival.