Esophageal cancer in Indigenous Australians in far north Queensland

Ho, Vincent, Whiteman, David, Miller, Megge, Raulli, Alexandra, Ombiga, John, and Boyd, Peter (2009) Esophageal cancer in Indigenous Australians in far north Queensland. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 24 (10). pp. 1683-1686.

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Abstract

Background and Aims: There is very little information known about esophageal cancer in Indigenous persons. In this retrospective study, we investigated the epidemiological and clinical features of Indigenous Australians with esophageal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians diagnosed with esophageal cancer at Cairns Base Hospital during the period 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2006. Information was obtained from hospital medical records, Queensland Cancer Registry survival data and Queensland Health Pathology Services laboratory results.

Results: Thirteen Indigenous and 53 non-Indigenous patients were diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for a significantly higher proportion of esophageal cancers among Indigenous (11/13) than non-Indigenous patients (24/53) (P = 0.0135). Among patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer, Indigenous patients were more likely than non-Indigenous patients to present with metastatic disease (P = 0.0271) at a younger mean age (50.7 years vs 67.2 years; P = 0.0002). There was no significant difference between Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients concerning their mean survival time from date of biopsy (P = 0.7834) and whether patients had ever smoked (P = 0.0721) or consumed alcohol (P = 0.2849).

Conclusion: There is a high incidence of squamous esophageal cancer in the Indigenous population in Far North Queensland. Indigenous persons tend to present at a younger age and with metastatic disease.

Item ID: 5592
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1440-1746
Keywords: Indigenous Australians, esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma
Date Deposited: 26 Nov 2009 00:58
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis > 111202 Cancer Diagnosis @ 50%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111701 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health @ 50%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920102 Cancer and Related Disorders @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Determinants of Health @ 50%
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