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. 2024 Mar;14(1):94-101.
doi: 10.1007/s44197-023-00172-7. Epub 2024 Jan 3.

Global Cervical Cancer Incidence by Histological Subtype and Implications for Screening Methods

Minmin Wang  1   2 , Kepei Huang  1   2 , Martin C S Wong  3 , Junjie Huang  3 , Yinzi Jin  4   5 , Zhi-Jie Zheng  1   2
Affiliations

Global Cervical Cancer Incidence by Histological Subtype and Implications for Screening Methods

Minmin Wang et al. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a major global health concern, disproportionately affecting women in developing countries. Cervical cancer has two primary subtypes, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC), each with distinct characteristics and screening effectiveness. In this study, we aimed to estimate the global incidence of cervical cancer according to histological subtype to inform prevention strategies.

Methods: Using data from population-based cancer registries, we computed the rates of SCC, AC, and other specified histology among all cervical cancer cases by country and by 5-year age group. Proportions were subsequently applied to the estimated number of cervical cancer cases from the Global Cancer Observatory 2020. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated.

Results: SCC accounted for 82.72% of global cervical cancer cases, with AC contributing 12.18%. The highest SCC incidence was in Sub-Saharan Africa (29.79 per 100,000 population). The AC incidence was highest in South-Eastern Asia (3.67 per 100,000 population). Age-specific trends showed SCC peaking at approximately age 55 years and AC plateauing after age 45 years.

Conclusions: This study provided a comprehensive estimate of cervical cancer incidence by histological subtype. SCC remained the dominant subtype globally, whereas the incidence of AC varied across regions. These findings highlighted the need for tailored prevention strategies, especially testing for human papillomavirus to detect AC in high burden areas.

Keywords: Adenocarcinoma; Cervical cancer screening; Histological subtype; Squamous cell carcinoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors completed the ICMJE Disclosure of Interest Form (available upon request from the corresponding author) and disclose no relevant interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Proportion of cervical cancer cases by histological subtype in 2020, by geographic region. AC, adenocarcinoma; SCC, squamous cell carcinoma
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of cervical cancer by histological subtype per 100,000 women-years. a Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); b Adenocarcinoma (AC)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Age trend of cervical cancer incidence by histological subtype and by world region. a World; b Caribbean; c Central America; d Eastern Asia; e Central and Eastern Europe; f North America; g Northern Africa; h Northern Europe; i Oceania; j South America; k South-Central Asia; l South-Eastern Asia; m Southern Europe; n Sub-Saharan Africa; o Western Asia; p Western Europe
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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