Cancer of the esophagus and stomach

Cancer of the stomach is the sixth most common form of cancer worldwide. Cancer of the esophagus is somewhat rarer, but is among the 15 most common forms of cancer in the world. For more information on cancer incidence worldwide, see Cancer Today.

In Norway, these forms of cancer are relatively rare, and in 2023 they accounted for a total of 2 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer cases. Both forms of cancer are more common in men than in women. Gastric cancer was among the most common forms of cancer in Norway when the Cancer Registry of Norway was established in the early 1950s. Since then, gastric cancer, as one of the few forms of cancer, has had a clear and distinct decrease in incidence.

There has been a clear increase in survival for oesophageal cancer since 2010, while for stomach cancer there has been a more gradual increase. Both diagnoses are serious, and around 30 per cent of patients survive their cancer diagnosis for 5 years or more. The prognosis is significantly better if the disease is detected at an early stage.

New cases

In 2023, 870 new cases of esophagus or stomach cancer were diagnosed in Norway. Of these, 343 cases were diagnosed in the esophagus (241 cases among men and 102 cases among women), and 527 cases were diagnosed in the stomach (318 cases among men and 209 cases among women).

The number of oesophageal cancer cases per 100,000 people was 7.8 among men and 3.0 among women.

For esophageal cancer, it is common to distinguish between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinomas account for 75–80% of all cases, and they occur most frequently in the distal part of the oesophagus. Squamous cell carcinomas occur almost exclusively in the oesophagus, but make up only a small proportion of cases.

The number of stomach cancer cases per 100,000 people was 10.5 among men and 6.5 among women. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type of gastric cancer. 

Men have more than three times the risk of oesophageal cancer, and almost twice the risk of stomach cancer, compared to women (numbers from 2019-2023).

Aging

The median age (both sexes) is 72 years for oesophageal cancer and 73 years for stomach cancer. These cancers occur extremely rarely in children and young people, and during 70 years of registration of cancer in Norway, only 9 cases have been registered in the age group 0–19 years.

Age at diagnosis for patients with cancer of the esophagus and stomach combined, 2018–2022.

Survival

The proportion who survive their oesophageal cancer for 5 years or more (5-year relative survival) has increased in recent years. For the period 2019–2023, the 5-year relative survival was 24.4 per cent for men and 29.8 per cent for women.

For stomach cancer, the 5-year relative survival is 29.4 per cent for men and 39.1 per cent for women. Stage at diagnosis is an important prognostic factor, and an overview of 5-year relative survival by stage is given in Cancer in Norway, tables 8.1 and 8.2.

Relative survival for oesophageal cancer up to 15 years after diagnosis divided by age in the period 2019–20223 for both sexes combined. From figure 8.1-C in Cancer in Norway 2023.

Relative survival for gastric cancer up to 15 years after diagnosis divided by age in the period 2019–20223 for both sexes combined. From figure 8.2-D in Cancer in Norway 2023.

Survivors with cancer of the esophagus and stomach

At the end of 2023, there were 1111 people in Norway who either have or have had esophageal cancer, and 2265 people who have or have had stomach cancer. 

Number of deaths

In 2022, 209 men and 53 women died of esophageal cancer, while 178 men and 108 women died of stomach cancer. 

Development over time

There has been an increase in the incidence of oesophageal cancer in recent decades, and for a long time the rates of mortality were close to the rates of incidence, and this is related to low survival. From 2010 we see a clear and distinct increase in survival, and this has given a greater distance between the incidence and mortality rates.

Trends in (dark blue/red), mortality (light blue/pink) and 5-year relative survival (green/brown) for oesophageal cancer in the period 1965-2023. From figure 9.1-C in Cancer in Norway 2023.

In the early 1950s, gastric cancer was among the most common forms of cancer in both women and men. It is one of the few forms of cancer that has had a clear and steady decrease in incidence, and today this is a relatively rare form of cancer in Norway. It is assumed that the decrease in incidence has a connection with changes in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, which is a known risk factor for gastric cancer, changes in dietary habits and changes in how we store food (Cancer in Norway, 2023). The mortality rates have followed the incidence rates. Relative survival has increased steadily over the past 20 years.

Trends in (dark blue/red), mortality (light blue/pink) and 5-year relative survival (green/brown) for gastric cancer in the period 1965-2023. From Figure 9.1-C in Cancer in Norway 2023.

Quality registry for cancer of the oesophagus and stomach

The quality register does not currently have national status. The work to develop a national quality registry for cancer of the oesophagus and stomach started in November 2008. The Cancer Registry of Norway and NGICG-ØV (the Norwegian Gastrointestinal Cancer Group's advisory board for cancer of the oesophagus and stomach) collaborate on the quality registry.

The Cancer Registry of Norway is responsible for data processing and works together with the professional community to develop the registry. 

Questions about cancer

The Cancer Registry of Norway is a research institution. Our professionals therefore do not answer questions about diagnosis, assessment, treatment and follow-up from patients or their relatives.

Questions about this should be directed to your own GP, treating institution or the Cancer Society Advisory Service tel: 21 49 49 21

Useful Links

National action programme with guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of esophageal cancer

National action programme with guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of gastric cancer

Read about esophageal cancer on kreftforeningen.no

Read about stomach cancer on kreftforeningen.no

Esophageal Cancer on National Cancer Institute website

Stomach (Gastric) Cancer on National Cancer Institute website