Incidence, sex ratio, and age distribution of oesophageal cancer in Tanzania: A population-based multi-registry analysis, 2019–2023

IntroductionOesophageal cancer is a major cancer burden in Tanzania. We assessed variation in oesophageal cancer burden using Tanzania’s first national Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) Report (2019–2023).MethodsWe extracted oesophageal cancer case counts, sex distribution, basis of diagnosis, age-specific distributions, and age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) from five PBCRs: Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza, and Mbeya. Extracted data were cross-checked against the report’s tables and chart labels.ResultsA total of 1,752 oesophageal cancer cases were reported, making it the third leading cancer nationally. Cases ranged from 27 in Mbeya to 805 in Kilimanjaro. Males predominated across all registries, with sex ratios ranging from 1.4:1 in Mwanza to 2.8:1 in Kilimanjaro and 2.8:1 nationally. Male ASIR ranged from 1.7 to 34.6 per 100,000, while female ASIR ranged from 0.6 to 7.7 per 100,000. Morphological verification varied substantially (39.4%–91.9%). An internal discrepancy was identified in Mwanza, where the reported male ASIR was 19.6 in the narrative but 10.2 in the corresponding chart.ConclusionOesophageal cancer represents a substantial, predominantly male burden, with marked geographic variation across Tanzania. Strengthening registry coverage and diagnostic verification, and resolving data inconsistencies, is essential for reliable estimates and informed cancer control planning.