A geographic area with better outcome of esophageal carcinoma: is there an effect of ethnicity and etiologic factors?

Objectives: Although Iran, and especially the northeast of the country, is known as one of the areas in the world where esophageal cancer is most prevalent, there is no information on the survival rate of patients affected with this disease in this region. To address this issue, we conducted a study comprehensive enough to provide as accurate an estimate as possible. Any finding related to survival of patients in this area may be considered representative of Iran.

Declining incidence of esophageal cancer in the Turkmen Plain, eastern part of the Caspian Littoral of Iran: a retrospective cancer surveillance.

Background: Previous studies have shown that upper gastrointestinal cancers are the most common cancers in Caspian Littoral, and rate of esophageal cancer (EC) in Iranian Turkmens residing in the Eastern part of littoral are among the highest in the world. Our aim was to reassess the rate 30 years later and following socioeconomic changes in the region.

Methods: A comprehensive retrospective search was undertaken to find all new cancer cases during the 1996-2000 period.