Oesophageal cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C15.

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New cases

Oesophageal cancer was the 19th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2015. It is estimated that it will remain the 19th most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2019. 

In 2015, there were 1,469 new cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,036 males and 433 females). In 2019, it is estimated that 1,687 new cases of oesophageal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,179 males and 508 females). In 2019, it is estimated that the risk of an individual being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer by their 85th birthday will be 1 in 136 (1 in 94 males and 1 in 236 females). 

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2019 

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 2015, the age-standardised incidence rate was 5.3 cases per 100,000 persons (8.0 for males and 2.8 for females). In 2019, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 5.4 cases per 100,000 persons (8.0 for males and 3.0 for females). The incidence rate for oesophageal cancer is expected to generally increase with age. 

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for oesophageal cancer, 1982 to 2015, by sex 

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 1,469 in 2015. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased 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 2015. 

Deaths 

In 2016, oesophageal cancer was the 11th most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will become the 12th most common cause of death from cancer in 2019. 

In 2016, there were 1,338 deaths from oesophageal cancer in Australia (988 males and 350 females). In 2019, it is estimated that there will be 1,470 deaths (1,087 males and 383 females). In 2019, it is estimated that the risk of an individual dying from oesophageal cancer by their 85th birthday will be 1 in 155 (1 in 96 males and 1 in 356 females). 

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2019 

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 2016, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.5 for males and 2.2 for females). In 2019, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will remain at 4.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.4 for males and 2.2 for females). The mortality rate for oesophageal cancer is expected to increase with age. 

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for oesophageal cancer, 1968 to 2016, by sex 

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 365 (231 males and 134 females) in 1968 to 1,338 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate increased slightly from 4.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.6 for males and 2.9 for females) in 1968 to 4.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2016. 

Survival 

In 2011–2015, 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 1986–1990 and 2011–2015, five-year relative survival from oesophageal cancer increased from 11% to 22%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival from oesophageal cancer, 1986–1990 to 2011–2015, by sex  

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 2014, there were 1,029 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer that year, 2,538 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2010 to 2014) and 4,298 people living who had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the previous 33 years (from 1982 to 2014). 

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.