Liver cancer incidence fell among men under 50 in several countries in 2008–2017, registry data show
A registry analysis across 47 countries found declines in younger adults, while incidence rose among middle-aged and older groups in many populations.
Liver cancer incidence among men under 50 decreased in 2008–2017 in several countries, including the United States, and among women under 50 in the Republic of Korea and China. This is according to a study published online on November 9 in the European Journal of Cancer and reported by cancertherapyadvisor.com. cancertherapyadvisor.com
cancertherapyadvisor.comcancertherapyadvisor.comOpen source ↗ The authors noted that the decline in younger adults contrasts with rising colorectal and gastric cancer incidence in the same group.
Data and method
The researchers used population-based cancer registry data maintained by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. They assessed age-specific liver cancer incidence from 1978 to 2017 across 47 countries. Age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated by sex, period and country.
For the most recent 10-year period, the team also calculated the estimated annual percent change (EAPC) by age group: 15–49, 50–69 and 70 years and older. This was done for 38 populations across 37 countries.
Results by age group
Among men aged 15–49, incidence declined significantly in 11 populations (29%), including the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, China and the US. cancertherapyadvisor.com
cancertherapyadvisor.comcancertherapyadvisor.comOpen source ↗ The largest annual decreases in men were in France (10%), Estonia and Spain (7.5% each) and Switzerland (6.8%). Among women of this age, EAPC fell by 3.7% in the Republic of Korea and by 2.6% in China.
In men aged 50–69, incidence decreased in 4 populations (11%) and increased in 15 (39%). In women of this age, it decreased in 3 (8%) and increased in 11 (29%). At 70 and older, incidence rose in 12 populations (32%) for men and 10 (26%) for women, mainly in Northern and Western Europe and North America. It declined in 4 populations (11%) for men and 6 (16%) for women.
The authors suggested that the recent decreases in younger adults could partly reflect early effects of hepatitis B virus immunization among vaccinated cohorts, among other liver cancer prevention efforts. They added that vaccination, testing and treatment must be sustained, particularly given the disruption of routine immunization services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The work is an analysis of registry data on incidence trends.
