Epidemiology and trend analysis on malignant mesothelioma in China

Population-based cancer registration data were used to analyze the epidemiology and trend of malignant mesothelioma in China, and the result would provide basic data for its prevention and control.

Malignant mesothelioma data in 2013 were retrieved from the database of National Cancer Registry. Malignant mesothelioma incidence and mortality were estimated using age-specific rate by urban/rural and gender according to the national population in 2013. Malignant mesothelioma data from 22 cancer registries were used for trend analysis during 2000-2013.

It is estimated that there were 2,041 new malignant mesothelioma cases and 1,659 malignant mesothelioma deaths occurred in 2013. The crude incidence rate in China were 1.50/10⁶ (males 1.67/10⁶, females 1.32/10⁶), age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 1.03/10⁶ and 1.02/10⁶, respectively. The crude mortality rate in China was 1.22/10⁶ (males 1.67/10⁶, females 1.32/10⁶), age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by world standard population (ASMRW) were 0.83/10⁶ and 0.81/10⁶, respectively. There was an increasing trend of incidence rate for malignant mesothelioma in registration areas of China during 2000-2013 with annual percentage change (APC) of 2.5% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.6%-4.5%]. After age standardization, no significant differences were observed. No matter for crude mortality rates or age-standardized mortality rates, no significant differences were observed during 2000-2013.

Malignant mesothelioma is the major occupational and environmental neoplasm associated with asbestos exposure. The increasing incidence trend suggests that more attention should be paid on this disease.