Renal cell carcinoma trends in Latvia: incidence, mortality, and survival rates. Population-based study

Baltic States including Latvia are reported as having one of the highest renal cell carcinoma (RCC) incidence and mortality rates in the world. However, data are often presented without stage-specific stratification, making assessment of the overall RCC diagnosis and survival trends challenging.

We collected data on all newly diagnosed RCC patients from the national population-based cancer registry between 1997 and 2016. We analyzed RCC incidence, mortality and survival trends using Joinpoint analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for 5- and 10-year cancer specific survival rate calculations.

There were a total of 7893 patients with newly diagnosed RCC. The age standardized (AS) incidence rate (per 100,000) increased slightly from 8.9 in 1997 to 9.8 in 2016. There were no specific changes in the incidence rate trend. Detection of early stage RCC increased by 5.4% annually. The AS mortality rates (per 100,000) decreased from 4.9 in 1997 to 3.9 in 2016, however, it did not reach a statistically significant change. The mortality rates decreased significantly in females and in the age group of 60-69 years. The 5-year cancer specific survival (CSS) rate increased from 55.1% in 1997-2001 to 66.6% in years 2007-2011. The 10-year CSS rate increased from 49.1% in 1997-2001 to 56.5% in years 2002-2006.

During the study period, RCC incidence rates increased and overall mortality rates did not change. Similar to the rest of the world, the incidence of RCC diagnosed at an earlier stage increased and 5- and 10-year survival rates improved.