Incidence trends in oesophageal cancer by histological type: An updated analysis in Sweden

- The incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma continues to rise in Sweden.
- The increase seems to have slowed down in men since the year 2000.
- The incidence of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma is decreasing.
- A continuous monitoring of the incidence trends of oesophageal cancer remains needed.

BackgroundWe aimed to update incidence trends of oesophageal cancer by histological type in Sweden.MethodsUsing data from the Swedish Cancer Registry, we examined incidence trends of oesophageal cancer by histological types in individuals aged ≥50 years in 1970-2014 using log-linear joinpoint regressions.ResultsThe age-standardised incidence rate of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in men increased on average by 3.0% per year in 1970-1994, followed by a more rapid increase of 13.7% per year in 1994-2000, and a slower increase of 2.6% per year in 2010-2014. The rate of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in women increased on average by 4.2% per year during the entire period. The rate of squamous cell carcinoma generally decreased over the past 2-3 decades in both sexes.ConclusionsThe incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma continues to rise in Sweden, although the increase seems to have slowed down in men since 2000. The incidence of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma is decreasing.