Exploring Oesophageal Cancer in Ethiopia: Elevated Incidence in Females and Younger Cases

Oesophageal cancer is a public health concern in Ethiopia. Identifying the incidence and demographic profile of the two histological subtypes: oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are the key steps in recognizing the disease burden and potential aetiopathological associations.

The aim of this study is to identify the age and gender-specific incidence patterns of the most common subtype of oesophageal cancer in a high-incidence area of Ethiopia.

A retrospective cross-sectional study from a high-incidence oesophageal cancer district in Ethiopia identified 630 cases from the pathology registry of nine hospitals. The patient records were carefully reviewed and data on age, gender, tumour location and histological types was systematically compiled. The patient data were retrieved and descriptive statistics were used to generate results.

ESCC subtype, accounted for constituting 500 (79.437%) cases. A gender disparity was observed, with 62.80% of cases occurring in females and 37.20% in males. This distribution of higher female ESCC incidences aligns with previous findings indicating a regional consistency and probable aetiological factor. Furthermore, ESCC incidence peaked at 40-50 years in females, highlighting an age-related incidence trend. EAC was observed in 67 (51.5%) females and 63 (48.5%) males showing similar prevalence. Spatial analysis revealed that the majority of ESCC cases were located in the lower oesophagus, followed by the middle part, with fewer instances in the upper oesophagus.

This study from Ethiopia identified ESCC as the predominant subtype, with a marked female predominance and age-related gender disparities. EAC with a lesser proportion identified with consistent spatial distribution patterns in both genders provide valuable insights into the epidemiological landscape of this disease. These findings emphasize the urgency of targeted research to uncover the underlying factors.