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. 2024 Oct 5;137(19):2334-2342.
doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000003264. Epub 2024 Sep 3.

Global epidemiology of liver cancer 2022: An emphasis on geographic disparities

Qianru Li  1 , Chao Ding  2 , Maomao Cao  1 , Fan Yang  1 , Xinxin Yan  1 , Siyi He  1 , Mengdi Cao  1 , Shaoli Zhang  1 , Yi Teng  1 , Nuopei Tan  1 , Jiachen Wang  1 , Changfa Xia  1 , Wanqing Chen  1
Affiliations

Global epidemiology of liver cancer 2022: An emphasis on geographic disparities

Qianru Li et al. Chin Med J (Engl). .

Abstract

Background: Liver cancer remains the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, causing a heavy burden globally. An updated assessment of the global epidemiology of the liver cancer burden that addresses geographical disparities is necessary to better understand and promote healthcare delivery.

Methods: Data were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database, including the number, crude, and age-standardized rates of incidence and mortality at the global, country, continent, and human development index (HDI) regional levels. Age-standardized rates (incidence and mortality) per 100,000 person-years were adjusted based on the Segi-Doll World standard population. The mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIR) for each region and country were calculated. The HDI and gross national income (GNI) for 2022 were obtained, and a Pearson correlation analysis was conducted with the incidence, mortality, and MIR.

Results: In 2022, approximately 866,136 new liver cancer cases and 758,725 related deaths were recorded worldwide, with a global MIR of 0.86. Males had a disproportionately higher burden than females across all levels, and the highest burden was observed in the elderly population. Geographically, the regions with the highest incidence rates included Micronesia, Eastern Asia, and Northern Africa, and the regions with the highest mortality rates included Northern Africa, Southeastern Asia, Eastern Asia, and Micronesia. Notably, Mongolia had a strikingly high burden compared to other countries. The highest MIR was observed in North America and the lowest in Africa. Negative associations of HDI and GNI with liver cancer mortality and MIR were identified, irrespective of sex.

Conclusions: The current liver cancer burden underscores the presence of remarkable geographic heterogeneity, which is particularly evident across countries with varying HDI levels, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize health accessibility and availability to achieve health inequities.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Country-level liver cancer (A) incidence and (B) mortality rates (world standard, per 100,000 population) by continents, in 2022. Red squares or lines indicate incidence, and blue ones indicate mortality.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Liver cancer (A) incidence and (B) mortality rates (world standard, per 100,000 population) of selected countries by sex and continent, in 2022.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Age-specific liver cancer (A) incidence and (B) mortality rates (world standard, per 100,000 population) by continents, in 2022.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Relationship between country-specific HDI (left panel), and GNI (right panel) with liver cancer (A) incidence; (B) mortality and (C) MIR, in 2022. GNI: Gross national income; HDI: Human development index; MIR: Mortality-to-incidence ratio.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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