Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. The new cases and deaths in China account for more than half of the world, and the disease burden of esophageal cancer is serious. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? From 1990 to 2019, the disease burden of EC in China showed a decrease overall; it first increased between 1990 and 2004, but then decreased between 2004 and 2019. The burden of EC in men was much higher than that in women. Age was an important factor affecting the burden of EC, with disease burden rising rapidly after 40 years old. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICES? The screening, early diagnosis, and treatment for EC should continue to be strengthened in China. Middle-aged and elderly men are high-risk groups of EC and should be a key population for EC prevention and control.