Epidemiology of Esophageal Cancer in Yanting - Regional Report of a National Screening Programme in China

Background and
Objectives: Yanting in Sichuan Province is one of the highest risk areas of esophageal cancer(EC) in the world. We here summarize the epidemiology of EC in Yanting using data from the national screeningprogramme during 2006-2011.
Methods: Random cluster sampling was used to select a proportion of naturalvillages from six towns in Yanting, and residents aged 40-69 years old were invited for screening. Participantswere screened using endoscopy with iodine staining and then confirmed by histological examinations.
Results:The overall detection rates of low-grade hyperplasia (LH), moderate hyperplasia (MH), high-grade hyperplasia(HH), carcinoma in situ (CIS), intramucosal carcinoma (IC) and invasive carcinoma (INC) were 5.33%, 1.28%,0.68% , 0.15% , 0.06% and 0.29%, respectively. The detection rates of LH, MH, HH and INC increased withage, reaching the peak among those aged 60-65 years, and the prevalences of LH and MH were higher amongmen than among women. In addition, the detection rates of hyperplasia were much higher in mountainous thanin hilly areas.
Conclusions: Among the high risk population, there are a great number of people with early-stageEC or precancerous conditions who do not have presenting symptoms. In particular, the elderly, men, or thoseliving in mountainous areas are the most vulnerable population. It is therefore important to reinforce healtheducation and screening services among such high risk populations.