Oesophageal cancer risk highest in South Africa

Source: GLOBOCAN 2008 http://globocan.iarc.fr

Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide. There are two types of oesophageal cancer adenocarcinoma and sqamous cell carcinoma.

Nearly half a million new cases of oesophageal cancer were recorded in 2008. It is twice as common in men (326,000 cases) than women (155,000 cases).

It is the sixth most common cause of death from cancer worldwide with 406,000 deaths in 2008. About 80 per cent of cases and deaths occur in developing countries.

Incidence rates for oesophageal cancer were highest in South Africa and Eastern Asia (China, Japan and Korea) and lowest in Central America and,Western and Middle Africa.

The rate per 100, 000 population was 16 in South Africa. This is 16 times the rate in the regions with the lowest incidence. High rates were also observed for Eastern Africa.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a cause of oesophageal cancer, and is estimated to be a cause of almost 25 per cent of squamous cell carcinomas. It may also partly explain the geographical variation in this cancer.

Smoking tobacco and chewing betel quid (a combination of betel leaf, areca nut, and slaked lime) are other causes of this cancer.

Dietary factors linked to oesophageal cancer, include alcoholic drinks, for which there is convincing evidence of increased risk. Increased body fatness is a convincing cause of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Maté, a herbal infusion (traditionally drunk scalding hot through a metal straw in parts of South America), is probably a cause of this cancer.

Non-starchy vegetables, fruits and foods containing beta-carotene and /or vitamin C probably protect against oesophageal cancer.

For more information see the WCRF/AICR Second Expert Report.

Age standardised incidence rates for oesophageal cancer for 2008