Global burden of five major types of gastrointestinal cancer

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers cause major global morbidity and mortality, with over 5 million new cases and 3.5 million deaths in 2020. The most prevalent GI malignancies are colorectal, gastric, liver, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers. Marked geographic variations exist, with high incidence in developed regions contrasting with high mortality in developing areas. These patterns reflect disparities in risk factors and cancer control capacities. However, GI cancer incidence is rising with economic growth and lifestyle changes. Poor prognosis and increasing burden underscore the critical need for expanded prevention and research. This review examines global epidemiology, risks, prevention, detection, treatment, and priorities for common GI cancers. Controlling the toll of GI malignancies requires coordinated global actions across prevention, screening, treatment access, and research. Key priorities include vaccination, reducing modifiable risks, improving screening, expanding care access, and advancing prevention/therapy research. Global commitments to evidence-based interventions and knowledge sharing are vital to curb the GI cancer epidemic.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; gastrointestinal cancer; liver cancer; oesophageal cancer; pancreatic cancer; stomach cancer.

Figure 1

Epidemiological trends of the 5 major gastrointestinal cancers (globally)

Figure 2

Summary of the gastrointestinal cancers: epidemiology, risks, mechanism, screening, treatment and prevention

Figure 3

Estimated numbers of new cases, incidence (A, B), prevalence (C), and mortality (D) of major gastrointestinal cancers to global cancer cases in 2020. Source: GLOBOCAN 2020

Figure 4

Contribution summary of Mortality ASR(W) vs incidence ASR(W) of all cancer’s vs GI cancers in 2020. Source: GLOBOCAN 2020

Figure 5

Age-standardised rate (world) per 100,000 with male/female and mortality with incidence combination including GI cancers with all cancers. Source: GLOBOCAN 2020

Figure 6

Estimated age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (world) vs. Oceania, Africa, Europe, Asia, Northern America and Latin America in 2020, both sexes, all ages. Source: GLOBOCAN 2020

Figure 7

Estimated number of new cases, incidence, mortality, prevalence based on world population, both sexes, all ages in 2020. Source: GLOBOCAN 2020

Figure 8

Estimated number of new real cases (million) from 2020 to 2040, both sexes, age (0–85+) with mortality (Africa + Latin America and Caribbean + Northern America + Europe + Oceania + Asia) based on different GI cancers. Source: Cancer Tomorrow 2023. Estimated number of new cases from 2020 to 2040, both sexes, age (0–85+) with mortality (very High HDI + High HDI + Medium HDI + Low HDI) based on different GI cancers. Source: Cancer Tomorrow 2023. Estimated number of new cases from 2020 to 2040, both sexes, age (0–85+) with mortality (Africa + Latin America and Caribbean + Northern America + Europe + Oceania + Asia) based on different GI cancers. Source: Cancer Tomorrow 2023

Figure 9

Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2020 with different major GOI cancers, both sexes, all ages. Source: GLOBOCAN 2020