The survival of esophageal cancer by subtype in China with comparison to the United States. Issue 2 (20th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: An, Lan; Zheng, Rongshou; Zeng, Hongmei; Zhang, Siwei; Chen, Ru; Wang, Shaoming; Sun, Kexin; Li, Li; Wei, Wenqiang; He, Jie
• Is Part Of: International journal of cancer. Volume 152:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2022-08-20
• Subjects: adenocarcinoma -- esophageal cancer -- screening -- squamous cell carcinoma -- survival; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7136

Abstract

Abstract: Adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the main subtypes of esophageal cancer (EC), but nationwide survival of both EC subtypes has never been reported in China. Our study aimed to estimate the survival trends of EC by subtype in China and compare them with those in the United States for the same period. We used data from 64 Chinese cancer registries, which included EC patients diagnosed during 2008 and 2015 and followed up until 31st December 2017. The 5‐year age‐standardized relative survival by subtype, sex, age group and urban or rural area between 2008 and 2017 were analyzed. We stratified survival estimates by calendar period (2008‐2009, 2010‐2011, 2012‐2014 and 2015‐2017). Data from the SEER 18 program were calculated to estimate the survival of EC in the United States. A further comparison between the survivals in areas covered and not covered by population‐based endoscopic screening programs in China was conducted. A total of 129 962 records were included in the survival analyses. Results revealed that age‐standardized 5‐year relative survivals for AC and SCC increased in both China and the United States from 2008 to 2017. In 2015 to 2017, 5‐year survival from both subtypes in China was better than the United States (SCC: 36.9% vs 18.5%, AC: 34.8% vs 22.3%). The survival for both subtypes was significantly higher in screening areas than in nonscreening areas in China (SCC: 40.6% vs 32.8%; AC: 43.0% vs 31.3%). A survival gap in EC by subtype exists between China and the United States. Our results may support the beneficial effect of population‐based endoscopic screening for survival, and may be poised to inform national policy‐making in both countries. Abstract : What's new? Due to the heavy disease burden in China, the country has put in place several screening programs for esophageal cancer, unlike other countries with low disease incidence like the United States. This first comprehensive study of esophageal cancer survival by subtype in China identifies a survival gap between China and the United States, with a better 5‐year relative survival for both subtypes in China than in the United States. Survival for both subtypes were significantly higher in the screening than the nonscreening areas in China. This study supports the beneficial effect of screening in the improvement of esophageal cancer survival.