To estimate the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in 2016 and their changing trend during 2010-2016 according to the cancer registration data in Henan province.

The data quality including completeness, validity, and reliability of local registries which submitted the cancer registration data of 2016 were assessed according to the criteria of Guideline on Cancer Registration in China and IARC/IACR. Esophageal cancer cases (ICD10: C15) were extracted from the database, and the incidence and mortality stratified by gender, age, and areas (urban/rural) were calculated, the incidence and mortality of provincial cancer were estimated combined with provincial population data. China′s 2000 census population and Segi′s population were used to calculate the age-standardized rate. Joinpoint model was used to estimate the changing trend of age standardized incidence and mortality along with the calendar year.

Approximately 40.10 thousand new esophageal cancer cases were diagnosed in Henan in 2016, accounting for 13.46% of all new cancer cases, and it ranked the third among cancer of all sites. The crude incidence of esophageal cancer was 37.21/100 000 with an age-standardized incidence rate by China standard population (ASIRC) of 26.74/100 000 and an age-standardized incidence rate by world standard population (ASIRW) of 27.12/100 000. The incidence of esophageal cancer in males was higher than that in females, with the ASIRC of 34.53/100 000 and 19.19/100 000, respectively. It was higher in rural areas than that in urban areas, with the ASIRC of 28.13/100 000 and 20.90/100 000, respectively. About 29.30 thousand deaths of esophageal cancer in Henan in 2016, accounting for 15.61% of all cancer deaths in Henan, which ranked the third among cancer of all sites. The crude mortality rate was 27.14/100 000 with an age-standardized mortality rate by China standard population (ASMRC) of 18.74/100 000 and an age-standardized mortality rate by world standard population (ASMRW) of 18.78/100 000. The mortality in males was higher than that in females, with the ASMRC of 24.78/100 000 and 13.12/100 000, respectively. It was also higher in rural areas than that in urban areas, with the ASMRC of 19.48/100 000 and 15.73/100 000, respectively. The ASIRC and ASMRC were declining with annual percent change (APC) of 3.12% (APC=-3.12%; 95%CI: -5.30%, -0.90%; P=0.015) and 2.47% (APC=-2.47%; 95%CI: -4.70%, -0.20%; P=0.039) during 2010-2016. However, the significant declining trend was only observed in rural areas in Henan, and the changing trend was same between males and females.

The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are declining since 2010, however, the disease burden remains large in Henan. Therefore, comprehensive prevention and control efforts should be strengthened according to its epidemic characteristics and risk factors.

Esophageal neoplasms; Incidence; Mortality; Henan