Incidence of carcinoma of the oesophagus and gastric cardia. Changes over time and geographical differences.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus is rising in many western countries including Sweden.


METHODS
We have studied the latest data concerning this as well as trends in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of gastric cardia. Data was extracted from the Swedish cancer registry and analyzed regarding gender, age, region, histology and location of tumour.


RESULTS
The results show an increasing incidence of adenocarcinoma in both oesophagus and gastric cardia. Squamous cell carcinomas show a more stable development with a slight decrease of incidence. Adenocarcinoma is now the most common histological type of cancer in the oesophageal/cardia region in Sweden. Results also suggest a possible drift in location of adenocarcinoma from gastric cardia towards oesophagus. Overall a higher incidence was found in the male population and no trends in patient age at onset could be found. Squamous cell carcinoma is still slightly more common in urban regions.
Falk
Jens
J
Department of Clinical Oncology, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. jens.falk@karolinska.se
Carstens
Hanna
H
Lundell
Lars
L
Albertsson
Maria
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002299:Cardia / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D012424:Rural Population; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population