Oesophageal cancer statistics in Australia
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Oesophageal cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C15 (Malignant neoplasm of oesophagus).
Estimated number of new cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed in 2020
1,587 = 
1,153 males + 
434 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020
1.1%
Estimated number of deaths from oesophageal cancer in 2020
1,351 = 1,003 males + 348 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2020
2.8%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2012–2016)
22%
People living with oesophageal cancer at the end of 2014 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2010 to 2014)
2,544
New cases
In 2016, there were 1,489 new cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,089 males and 400 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 1,587 new cases of oesophageal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,153 males and 434 females).
Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 5.3 cases per 100,000 persons (8.2 for males and 2.6 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 5.0 cases per 100,000 persons (7.7 for males and 2.5 for females). The incidence rate for oesophageal cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85-89.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for oesophageal cancer, 1982 to 2016, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for oesophageal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
The number of new cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed increased from 537 (317 males and 220 females) in 1982 to 1,489 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased slightly from 4.4 cases per 100,000 persons (5.7 for males and 3.2 for females) in 1982 to 5.3 cases per 100,000 in 2016.
Deaths
In 2018, there were 1,329 deaths from oesophageal cancer in Australia (987 males and 342 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 1,351 deaths (1,003 males and 348 females).
Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.0 for males and 2.0 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 4.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.8 for males and 2.0 for females). The mortality rate for oesophageal cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for oesophageal cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for oesophageal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
The number of deaths from oesophageal cancer increased from 527 (338 males and 189 females) in 1982 to 1,329 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate remained at 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.4 for males and 2.9 for females) in 1982, and 2018.
Survival
In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with oesophageal cancer had a 22 % chance (22% for males and 23% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for oesophageal cancer improved from 11% to 22%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for oesophageal cancer, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for oesophageal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)
Prevalence
At the end of 2015, there were 976 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer that year, 2,544 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 4,437 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).
For more information, see Oesophageal cancer on the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
