Descriptive epidemiology of soft tissue sarcomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze burden of STS and GIST in population and survival rate which represented the current situation of treatment in Thailand. The data was collected from five population-based cancer registries around the country for the period 2001 through 2015. The Segi world standard population was used to calculated age-standardized incidence rates (ASR). Standardized rate ratios (SRR) were used to compare populations. Joinpoint Trend Analysis was used to assess changes in incidence. STATA was used to examine patient survival rates. During the study period, 4080 cases of STS and 457 cases of GIST were reported. The ASR of STS and GIST was 2.14/100,000 person-years and 0.22/100,000 person-years, respectively. The most common histological types of STS were unspecified sarcoma (24.8%), leiomyosarcoma (19.0%) and liposarcoma (11.4%). The overall ASR of STS in Thailand was relatively low compared to Western countries. The five-year survival rate was 62.6% for STS and 63.4% for GIST, which was comparable to the rates reported in other countries. This is the first report of STS and GIST from PBCRs in Thailand. Based on current healthcare service, an overall survival rates of STS and GIST are comparable to those reported from others.

Figure 1

Age-specific incidence rates of STS and GIST by major histological type and sex. STS soft tissue sarcoma, GIST gastrointestinal stromal tumor, NOS not otherwise specified, UPS Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, MFH malignant fibrous histiocytoma, MPNST malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

Figure 2

Five-year relative survival rate of STS and GIST by sex and histological type. STS soft tissue sarcoma, GIST gastrointestinal stromal tumor, NOS not otherwise specified, UPS Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, MFH malignant fibrous histiocytoma, MPNST malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.