Chinese Medical Journal study reveals key insights on the global burden of thyroid cancer in 2022

Thyroid cancer (TC) is recognized as one of the leading malignancies of the endocrine system on a global scale. It accounts for approximately 4.1% of all cancer diagnoses worldwide, reflecting its significant prevalence. Being the only cancer of non-reproductive nature, TC continues to affect more women than men. Remarkably, TC boasts a five-year survival rate of 98.5%. However, despite this high survival rate, TC can significantly impact the quality of life of affected individuals.

Considering the rising incidence of TC, especially among diverse population groups with different characteristics, analyzing the global distribution patterns and trends is critical. Projections indicate that the global burden of TC is likely to increase by 44.1% in a span of 11 years from 2019 to 2030, with the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) per 100,000 rising by 16.3%. This trend is concerning and raises a need for increased awareness and research into this growing issue.

To tackle this problem, a dedicated team of scientists from the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital in China, led by Prof. Kexin Chen, undertook a comprehensive analysis of the distribution, incidence, and mortality of TC in 2022. They also conducted an analysis to project the global burden of TC in the year 2050. Their findings were published in the Chinese Medical Journal on 12 September 2024.

To this end, the researchers comprehensively analyzed global TC trends using data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022 database. They focused on ASIR and mortality rates, categorizing the data by gender, age groups (under 55 years, 55 years and above), country, world region, and human development index (HDI) across 185 countries. Furthermore, they estimated the projected incidence and mortality burden for 2050 based on demographic forecasts, providing valuable insights into future trends in TC. Elaborating further, Prof. Chen says, “In this population-based epidemiological study, we presented the up-to-date estimates of the world­wide incidence and mortality of TC by gender and age, providing a picture of the current epide­miological profile of this neoplasm.”

The results revealed that in 2022, 821,214 new cases and 47,507 related deaths were reported worldwide. Adding further, Prof. Chen remarks, “TC is more common in women than in men. Such noticeable gender differences may be related to obstetric and gynecological factors and sex hormone levels. While analyzing the data, we noticed marked gender varia­tions in incidence and mortality rates across countries and world regions, with the higher incidence rates reported in women and high HDI countries.” Interestingly, women experienced higher ASIR at 13.60 per 100,000 compared to 4.60 per 100,000 for men.

The data also highlighted stark disparities based on the HDI. Speaking about the results revealed by HDI, Prof. Chen says, “Among the 185 countries we studied, China had the largest number of TC cases, accounting for 56.77% of total cases and 24.35% of related deaths globally. Another variable to note is the large discrepancy between incidence and mortality is primarily attributed to the effects of overdiag­nosis. Overdiagnosis, which reflects increased access to health care and diagnosis, explains the association between the high incidence of TC and national develop­ment.”

Interestingly, age seemed to play a significant role in the distribution of cases and deaths. Approximately 64.63% of TC cases occurred in those below the age of 55, while nearly 82.99% of related deaths observed in those aged 55 years and above. Sharing his thoughts on this aspect, Prof. Chen, “If the rates stay the same as in 2022, it is projected that approximately 1,100,000 new TC cases and 91,000 deaths due to thyroid cancer will occur in 2050.”

Lastly, shedding light on the future scope of the study, Prof. Chen says, “This research offers a thorough overview of the worldwide burden of TC, which is valuable for cancer control efforts and clinical decision-making. These findings emphasize the need and power of balancing overdiagnosis with primary and secondary prevention interventions, which could be the most valuable strategies for managing TC now and in the future.”

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Reference

Titles of original papers: Global burden of thyroid cancer in 2022: Incidence and mortality estimates from GLOBOCAN

Journal: Chinese Medical Journal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003284