Esophageal cancer health videos on TikTok: A cross-sectional assessment of information coverage, quality and transmissibility

Objectives Esophageal cancer remains a major global health burden, yet patients often experience limited access to reliable information outside clinical encounters. With TikTok emerging as a key health information platform, this study aimed to systematically evaluate the quality, completeness, and dissemination characteristics of esophageal cancer-related short videos. Methods A cross-sectional study of TikTok was conducted from December 1–7, 2025 using a multi-language query (“esophageal cancer” OR “oesophageal cancer” OR “食管癌” OR “食道癌”). Searches were run in incognito mode on a new device/account with region/language fixed; full queries, timestamps, and filters were logged (PRISMA-S). From the top 109 results, 100 videos met predefined eligibility. We extracted video characteristics (duration, language, days since upload), uploader category, and engagement counts (likes, comments, favorites, shares). Two trained reviewers independently rated quality with DISCERN and Global Quality Score (GQS, 1–5) and coded a pre-specified clinical completeness rubric (8 domains); disagreements were adjudicated and quadratic-weighted Cohen’s κ. Radar charts illustrated content distribution, and statistical analyses explored correlations between engagement and quality. Results Content coverage was uneven: “definition” appeared most frequently (45%), whereas “risk factors” (22%), “diagnostic assessment” (19%), and “outcomes” (17%) were markedly underrepresented. Overall quality was moderate (DISCERN range 2.20–3.00). Videos uploaded by physicians and hospitals scored higher than those from news media and patients, though differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions Esophageal cancer–related videos on TikTok demonstrate moderate quality and highly imbalanced content distribution, with critical gaps in diagnostic and prognostic information. The observed misalignment between popularity and reliability underscores the need for evidence-based content creation, algorithmic prioritization of trustworthy videos, and platform-level regulation to enhance the educational role of short-video platforms in oncology.