Esophageal Cancer Survival Rate

What is esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is rare, with around 20,000 new cases a year [¹]. The cancer can be challenging to detect early and can spread rapidly to other body parts. Survival rates for esophageal cancer depend on several factors, including the cancer stage, the age and overall health of the patient, and the treatment options available.

In this article, we will share information about esophageal cancer survival rate and prognosis and provide relevant information about specific types of esophageal cancer, esophageal cancer diagnosis and staging, and treatment options in order to help you understand the various factors that influence survival rate.

What are the types of esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer is further categorized into two main types [²]:

Squamous cell carcinoma: This type of cancer begins in the flat cells lining the upper part of the esophagus.
Adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer begins in the glandular cells that produce mucus in the lower part of the esophagus, near the stomach.

Other less common types of esophageal cancer include:

Small cell carcinoma: A type of neuroendocrine cancer that grows rapidly and may spread quickly to other parts of the body.
Sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that develops in the connective tissue of the esophagus.
Lymphoma: A lymphatic system cancer that can develop in the esophagus.

It is important to note that the treatment and prognosis of esophageal cancer can vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer can cause various signs and symptoms, but some people with early-stage esophageal cancer may not experience any symptoms. As the cancer progresses, however, the following signs and symptoms may appear [³]:

Difficulty or pain when swallowing (dysphagia)
Chest pain
Unexplained weight loss
Hoarseness or chronic cough
Regurgitation
Heartburn
Fatigue

It is important to note that other conditions can also cause these symptoms, so it is essential to seek medical advice if you experience any of them.

Esophageal cancer diagnosis and staging

How is esophageal cancer diagnosed?

Esophageal cancer can be diagnosed through several tests and procedures [⁴]. These may include:

Endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end (endoscope) is passed through the mouth and into the esophagus to look for abnormalities.
Biopsy: A tissue sample from the suspicious area in the esophagus is taken during an endoscopy or surgery and examined under a microscope to determine if cancer is present.
Imaging tests: Tests such as CT scans, PET scans, and ultrasounds may be used to determine the extent of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Barium swallow: A test in which a patient swallows a liquid containing barium, which shows up on X-rays, to help identify any abnormalities in the esophagus [⁵].
Blood tests: Blood tests may be done to check for certain biomarkers or substances in the blood that may indicate the presence of cancer.
Physical examination: Your doctor will perform a physical exam to check for abnormalities, such as enlarged lymph nodes.

The specific tests used to diagnose esophageal cancer may vary depending on the individual case and the doctor's recommendations. If esophageal cancer is diagnosed, further tests may be needed to determine the stage of the cancer and develop a treatment plan.

Esophageal cancer staging

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) is a system healthcare providers use to classify diseases and medical conditions. The ICD-10 code for esophageal cancer in the ICD-10 diagnosis code list is C15 [⁶]. The ICD10 codes are used to classify malignant neoplasms (cancers) of the esophagus. The esophageal cancer ICD-10 gives insights into the disease's type, diagnosis, and progress.

Esophageal cancer staging is the process of determining the extent of the cancer and how far it has spread in the body. Staging is essential to the diagnosis process as it helps doctors determine the best treatment options and predict the prognosis.

The most commonly used system for staging esophageal cancer is the TNM system. This system uses three factors to determine the stage of the cancer: T (tumour), N (lymph nodes), and M (metastasis) [⁷]. The stage is then classified as follows [⁸]:

Stage 0: Also known as carcinoma in situ, cancer cells are present only in the innermost layer of the esophagus and have not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Stage I: Cancer cells have invaded deeper layers of the esophagus but have not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other body parts.
Stage II: Cancer cells have invaded nearby tissues or organs and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III: Cancer cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes and may have invaded nearby tissues or organs.
Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or bones (carcinomatosis).

Within each stage, there may be further sub-stages that provide more detailed information about the extent of the cancer. The specific staging of esophageal cancer may vary depending on the individual case and the doctor's recommendations.

Is esophageal cancer hereditary?

While most cases of esophageal cancer are not inherited, there may be a small genetic component to the development of this disease. In some cases, a family history of esophageal cancer may increase the risk of developing the disease, suggesting a possible genetic link [⁹].

Several genetic syndromes have also been linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer. These syndromes include Lynch syndrome, Fanconi anemia, and Tylosis [¹⁰] [¹¹] [¹²].

It is important to note that having a family history or a genetic predisposition to esophageal cancer does not necessarily mean an individual will develop the disease. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity, also play a significant role in developing esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer survival rate

Prognosis for esophageal cancer usually considers two separate metrics: survival rate and quality of life (QOL). Doctors and researchers typically define survival rate as the five-year survival rate, which indicates the percentage of patients alive five years after their diagnosis. The survival rate for esophageal cancer is highly dependent on the stage of the disease, including tumour size and extent of metastasis, as well as on the patient's underlying health status.

Generally, esophageal cancers caught at earlier stages (stage 0/in situ, stage 1) have a better outlook. If the cancer has metastasized, treatment is more difficult, but in any case, it is important to maintain hope. It is important to understand that survival statistics represent averages - they should not be taken as prescriptive determinations of your future outcome.

What is the survival rate for esophageal cancer?

The survival rate for esophageal cancer depends on several factors, including the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed, the patient's overall health, and the type of treatment received. According to data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) report, the overall 5-year survival rate for esophageal cancer is approximately 20.6% [¹³].

However, it is important to note that survival rates vary significantly based on the cancer stage at diagnosis. For example, the 5-year survival rate for localized esophageal cancer (cancer that has not spread beyond the esophagus) is around 47%, the 5-year relative survival rate for regional esophageal cancer is 26%, while the 5-year survival rate for esophageal cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body is only around 6% [¹⁴].

It is also important to note that these survival rates are based on data from large groups of people and do not necessarily reflect an individual's chances of survival. Many factors, such as the patient's age, overall health, and response to treatment, can affect an individual's prognosis.

Survival rate of esophageal cancer in women vs. survival rate of esophageal cancer in men

Esophageal cancer is a rare cancer that accounts for 1.1% of all new cancer cases and 2.7% of all cancer deaths. In their lifetime, about 0.5% of all men and women will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer. However, the cancer predominantly affects men more than women [¹³]. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be around 21,650 new esophageal cancer cases in 2023, and over 117,000 cases will present in men. Moreover, the lifetime risk of esophageal cancer is one in 125 men and one in 417 women [¹⁵].

Similarly, the death rate of esophageal cancer Is higher in men than women. The death rate per 100,000 people for esophageal cancer is 6.7 in men and 1.4 in women. That means men have a five times higher esophageal cancer death rate than women.

Survival rate of esophageal cancer by age

Esophageal cancer affects people aged 20 and above. The median age at diagnosis of esophageal cancer is 68, and the median age at death is 70. Esophageal cancer has the highest percentage of death in people aged 65-74 (32.7) and lowest in people aged 20-34 (0.3%). People aged 55-64 and 74-84 have experienced an almost similar death percentage of 24.3% and 23.1%, respectively [¹³].

Survival rate of esophageal cancer by race/ethnicity

Esophageal cancer affects all races but is predominantly diagnosed in Non-Hispanic American Indian and Non-Hispanic white people. The rate of new cases for every 100,00 persons for different races is illustrated in Table 1 [¹³].

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Esophageal cancer treatment options

Some of the current treatment methods for esophageal cancer include the following:

Surgery

Surgery is the primary treatment option for early-stage esophageal cancer. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the cancerous part of the esophagus and reconnects the remaining part of the esophagus to the stomach. If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the surgeon may also remove them. Surgery for esophageal cancer may include an esophagectomy, Endoscopic resection, or palliative surgery [¹⁶].

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves the use of strong chemicals to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with radiation therapy or surgery. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumour or kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. In some cases, radiation therapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumour or kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery. The side effects of radiation therapy can include fatigue, skin irritation, and difficulty swallowing.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments for cancer. These studies are designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new therapies and to determine how they compare to existing treatments.

If a patient does not respond to the current treatment methods or wishes to participate in a clinical trial, they or their doctor can visit Power to see if there are any clinical trials that could potentially benefit you, or you might consider checking out Leal Health, an AI-powered platform that helps you be informed of all the potential treatment options available. Both platforms aim to empower patients to participate actively in their healthcare decisions.

Conclusion

Takeaway

Esophageal cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Survival rates for esophageal cancer depend on several factors, including the cancer stage at the time of diagnosis, the age and overall health of the patient, and the treatment options available. It is essential to catch cancer early and treat it promptly to maximize the chances of survival. Regular check-ups with a doctor, healthy lifestyle choices, and prompt medical attention can help reduce the risk of esophageal cancer and improve the chances of survival.