Current status and temporal trend in incidence, death, and burden of esophageal cancer from 1990−2019

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the world's most unknown and deadly cancers. This study aimed to provide updated epidemiological indicators and the recent trend of EC by age group, gender, and geographical region in the world. METHODS: Annual case data and age‐standardized rates (ASRs) of epidemiological indicators of EC were collected from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories based on the sociodemographic index (SDI). Relative difference (%), average annual percentage change (AAPC), and the male/female ratio were calculated. Data are reported in values and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: EC age‐standardized incidence rates (ASIR) decreased by 19%, age‐standardized death rates (ASDR) decreased by 25%, and disability‐adjusted life‐years ASR (DALYs ASR) decreased by 30% from 1990 to 2019. The higher number of EC cases was in men aged 50 to 69 years and in women aged over 70. From 1990 to 2019, Middle SDI countries experienced a decline in the ASIR and ASDR of EC. The High SDI countries had an increasing ASDR trend. In World Bank High‐Income countries, the ASIR of EC has remained unchanged and decreased in other regions. The Asia continent has the highest rate of incidence, mortality, and burden of EC and the highest rate of reduction. East Asia, Southern Sub‐Saharan Africa, and Eastern Sub‐Saharan Africa respectively have the highest ASIR of EC. Central Asia has experienced the greatest decrease in the ASIR and ASDR of EC, the countries of Central Europe had a steady ASIR and High‐Income North America had an increasing trend in ASIR and ASDR. The burden of EC shows a decreasing trend worldwide. Central and East Asia regions have the highest rate and the highest increase in the burden of EC. CONCLUSION: Based on great variation in the geographical distribution of epidemiological indicators of EC, investigating the reasons for this diversity requires more studies to be conducted in the field of prevention, distribution of risk factors, and implementation of screening methods with high cost‐effectiveness, and access to treatment methods. The provision of regional solutions may be more effective than global strategies.