Esophageal cancer: trends in incidence and mortality in China from 2005 to 2015

BACKGROUND: The long‐term trend analysis of esophageal cancer is rarely reported in China. Our purpose is to analyze the incidence and mortality trends of esophageal cancer in China from 2005 to 2015. METHOD: Based on the data in the annual report of the China Cancer Registry, a comprehensive analysis of esophageal cancer cases and deaths from 2005 to 2015 was carried out. The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are stratified by gender and region (urban or rural). Long‐term trend analysis was conducted using Joinpoint regression model. RESULT: In China, the age‐standardized incidence rates by the world population declined from 13.84/10(5) in 2005 to 11.64/10(5) in 2015. Annual percent changes were 3.4% (95% CI: 0.6%, 6.3%) in the period 2005‐2011, −7.4% (95% CI: −10.1%, −4.7%) in the period 2011‐2015, respectively. The age‐standardized mortality rates declined from 10.86/10(5) in 2005 to 8.57/10(5) in 2015. And the average annual percent change was −4.1% (95% CI: −6.7%, −1.5%). The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in men are higher than those in women, and the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in rural areas are much higher than those in urban areas. CONCLUSION: In China, the incidence of esophageal cancer first increased and then decreased during 2005‐2015, while the mortality rate has been declining.