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. 2015 Apr;39(2):143-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2015.01.001. Epub 2015 Feb 3.

The incidence of oesophageal cancer in Eastern Africa: identification of a new geographic hot spot?

Michael L Cheng  1 , Li Zhang  1 , Margaret Borok  2 , Eric Chokunonga  2 , Charles Dzamamala  3 , Anne Korir  4 , Henry R Wabinga  5 , Robert A Hiatt  1 , D Max Parkin  6 , Katherine Van Loon  7
Affiliations

The incidence of oesophageal cancer in Eastern Africa: identification of a new geographic hot spot?

Michael L Cheng et al. Cancer Epidemiol. 2015 Apr.

Abstract

The incidence of oesophageal cancer (OC) varies geographically, with more than 80% of cases and deaths worldwide occurring in developing countries. The aim of this study is to characterize the disease burden of OC in four urban populations in Eastern Africa, which may represent a previously undescribed high-incidence area. Data on all cases of OC diagnosed between 2004 and 2008 were obtained from four population-based cancer registries in: Blantyre, Malawi; Harare, Zimbabwe; Kampala, Uganda; and Nairobi, Kenya. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were calculated for each population, and descriptive statistics for incident cases were determined. In Blantyre, 351 male (59%) and 239 (41%) female cases were reported, with ASRs of 47.2 and 30.3. In Harare, 213 male (61%) and 134 (39%) female cases were reported, with ASRs of 33.4 and 25.3, respectively. In Kampala, 196 male (59%) and 137 female (41%) cases were reported, with ASRs of 36.7 and 24.8. In Nairobi, 323 male (57%) and 239 female (43%) cases were reported, with ASRs of 22.6 and 21.6. Median age at diagnosis was significantly different among the four populations, ranging from 50 years in Blantyre to 65 years in Harare (p<0.0001). Except in Nairobi, incidence among males was significantly higher than among females (p<0.01). Squamous cell OC was the predominant histologic subtype at all sites. ASRs at all four sites were remarkably higher than the mean worldwide ASR. Investigation to evaluate potential etiologic effects of dietary, lifestyle, environmental, and other factors impacting the incidence in this region is needed.

Keywords: Africa; Incidence rate; Oesophageal cancer.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age distribution for cases of oesophageal cancer, for four population-based cancer registries in Eastern Africa, 2004–2008.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) for oesophageal cancer in males versus females in four urban populations in Eastern Africa, 2004–2008.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Age-specific incidence rates for oesophageal cancer for four population-based cancer registries in Eastern Africa, 2004–2008.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Trends in ASRs for oesophageal cancer over time from four population-based cancer registries in Eastern Africa, 1990–2012. * Dashed lines represent best estimates during periods when quality of data collection by the cancer registry was known to be compromised due to various factors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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