Epidemiology and Outcomes of Young-Onset Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: An Analysis from a Population-Based Database

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2021 Jan;30(1):142-149. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-20-0944. Epub 2020 Dec 11.

Abstract

Background: Esophageal adenocarcinoma is a lethal cancer with rising incidence. There are limited data in younger (<50 years) patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. We aimed to assess time trends in the incidence and outcomes of "young-onset" esophageal adenocarcinoma using a population-based database.

Methods: We queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 9 database to identify patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma between 1975 and 2015. Patients were stratified into three age strata: <50, 50 to 69, and ≥70 years. Staging was stratified as localized, regional, and distant. Trends in incidence, disease stage, and survival were assessed in three periods (1975-89, 1990-99, and 2000-2015). Univariate and multivariate models were created to identify predictors of mortality.

Results: Esophageal adenocarcinoma incidence has increased in patients <50 years of age, with an annual percentage change of 2.9% (95% confidence interval, 1.4%-4.4%) from 1975 to 2015. Young-onset esophageal adenocarcinoma presented at more advanced stages (regional + distant) compared with older patients (84.9% vs. 67.3%; P < 0.01), with increasing proportion of advanced stages over the study period. These patients also experienced poorer 5-year esophageal adenocarcinoma-free survival compared with older patients (22.9%% vs. 29.6%; P < 0.01), although this finding was attenuated on stage-stratified analysis.

Conclusions: Young-onset esophageal adenocarcinoma, while uncommon, is rising in incidence. Concerningly, the proportion of advanced disease continues to increase. Young-onset esophageal adenocarcinoma also presents at more advanced stages, resulting in poorer esophageal adenocarcinoma-free survival.

Impact: Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma younger than 50 years present at more advanced stages with higher esophageal adenocarcinoma-specific mortality compared with older peers. Current diagnostic and management strategies for young-onset esophageal adenocarcinoma may need to be reevaluated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SEER Program
  • Sex Distribution

Supplementary concepts

  • Adenocarcinoma Of Esophagus