The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, please do not let these statistics discourage you. While the diagnosis may be the same, each person has their own individual journey. Positivity and hope play a large role in treatment. As one of our wonderful supporters once said, “there has to be someone to make up the survivor numbers in these statistics and I want my spouse to be one of them!”

While we have an obligation to post the information on this page so that we can acquire the resources to change these statistics, we want to encourage those who are affected not to focus on the figures and rates and instead focus on treatment, receiving support from family and friends and taking each moment as it comes. Have faith and be strong!

Facts & Figures

Esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma) has increased 733% between 1973 and 2014, according to government data, climbing an average of 5.4% per year during the 41-year period in the past decades*; making it the fastest growing cancer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute.*

Latest Incidence and Mortality of Esophageal Cancer in the United States:

In 2024, an estimated 22,370 will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer and there will be an estimated 16,130 deaths from esophageal cancer.¹

Only 21.7% of patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer will survive 5(+) years.

Esophageal Cancer Incidence and Mortality

Based on data from SEER 17 2013–2019.
Gray figures represent those who have died from esophageal cancer.
Periwinkle figures represent those who have survived 5 years or more.

Incidence and Mortality of Esophageal Cancer in the United States (1999-2024):

Year	Incidence (Diagnosis)	Mortality (Deaths)
2024	22,370	16,130
2023	21,560	16,120
2022	20,640	16,410
2021	19,260	15,530
2020	18,440	16,170
2019	17,650	16,080
2018	17,290	15,850
2017	16,940	15,690
2016	16,910	15,690
2015	16,980	15,590
2014	18,170	15,450
2013	17,990	15,210
2012	17,460	15,070
2011	15,914	14,44
2010	15,813	14,490
2009	16,487	13,908
2008	16,299	13,714
2007	15,706	13,592
2006	15,664	13,685
2005	15,228	13,499
2004	15,299	13,023
2003	14,419	12,860
2002	13,260	12,700
2001	13,031	12,529
2000	13,051	12,232
1999	12,532	11,917

Notes: Incidence counts cover approximately between 91%-99% of the U.S. population; death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution when comparing incidence and death counts.

Percent of Cases & 5-Year Relative Survival by Stage at Diagnosis

• Localized (18%)
  Confined to Primary Site
• Regional (33%)
  Spread to Regional Lymph Nodes
• Distant (38%)
  Cancer Has Metastasized
• Unknown (11%)
  Unstaged

Esophageal Cancer 5-Year Survival Rates By Stage:

• Localized (48.8%)
  Confined to Primary Site
• Regional (27.7%)
  Spread to Regional Lymph Nodes
• Distant (5.6%)
  Cancer Has Metastasized
• Unknown (16.5%)
  Unstaged
• Percent of Esophageal Cancer Patients Surviving Five Years: (21.7%)

 

Esophageal Cancer Research Funding:

Source: NCI Office of Budget and Finance.

 

Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer research receives inadequate private and/or government funding.

 

The National Cancer Institute spends, on average, only half of one percent for esophageal cancer research from it’s total budget.  

 

-In 2017, NCI allocated $31,843,910 for esophageal cancer research funding out of it’s total $5,636.4 billion budget.

 

-In 2018, the NCI received an increase for their total budget by 5%, or $284 million from the previous fiscal year. 

 

-However, in 2018, NCI again decreased its investment in research of esophageal cancer to $29,804,836.

 

 

Latest Figures From NCI

 

-2018 NCI funded Esophageal Cancer Research:  $29,804,836

-2018 NCI Total Budget for Cancer Research: $5,927.7 billion budget.

 

Source: National Cancer Institute 

 

 

The American Cancer Society also decreased for esophageal cancer research projects. 

 

January 2020: 11 for esophageal cancer research out of their total of 739 cancer research grants.  

October 2020: 9 for esophageal cancer research out of their total 737 cancer research grants.

November 2023: 5 for esophageal cancer research out of their total 684 cancer research grants.

 

 

Source: American Cancer Society

 

Cost of Esophageal Cancer Care

 

$1.6 billion dollars was estimated to be spent on esophageal cancer treatment alone during 2016 in the U.S. (Source: Cancer.gov)

 

 

Age-Adjusted Death and Incidence Rates by State:

 

 

Age-adjusted death rates by State, All Races, Both Sexes for Esophageal Cancer.

 

 

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Sources:

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,cdc.gov 

National Cancer Institute, Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, seer.cancer.gov 

American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures, 2012-2023, cancer.org

Management of Barrett’s oesophagus and intramucosal oesophageal cancer: a review of recent development, nlm.nih.gov 

Esophageal Cancer On The Rise, webmd.com

National Cancer Institute: PDQ® Esophageal Cancer Treatment. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. cancer.gov

National Cancer Institute: A Snapshot of Esophageal Cancer. cancer.gov

American Cancer Society, Explore Research, cancer.org

Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News, GastroEndoNews.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  To donate, please click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content found on Salgi.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

 

 

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