Global bone cancer incidence and death rate analysis at 40 years

Bone cancer exhibits significant global disparities in incidence and mortality. Understanding these trends is essential for identifying high-risk populations and informing targeted interventions.

Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) and the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) database, this study analyzed bone cancer incidence (1993-2017) and mortality (1980-2021) trends. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs, per 100,000) and mortality rates were assessed across regions, countries, income levels, and health systems, focusing on gender differences and healthcare capacity.

Bone cancer ASRs (1993-2017) ranged from 0.53 to 2.72 for females (China: Yunmeng County, 2.72 [2.16-3.28]) and 0.90-4.28 for males (China: Xiangfu District, 4.28 [3.25-5.31], p < 0.0001), with minimal rates near zero like Brazil: Jau and USA: Hawaii Chinese. Mortality rates (1980-2021) peaked in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with male rates up to 2.90 (Romania, 2.90 [1.89-3.90], 1980) and female rates up to 2.34 (Greece, 2.34 [2.11-2.58], 1980), while high-income regions like Western Europe declined to 0.84 (males, 0.84 [0.76-0.90], 2021). By 2021, Upper Middle-Income countries (1.26 [0.85-1.62] for males) and Basic Health Systems (1.27 [0.85-1.59] for males) showed rising mortality, surpassing Advanced Health Systems (0.76 [0.71-0.81] for males), reflecting healthcare disparities. Thailand (males, 2.06 [1.18-3.01], 2021) and China saw increasing rates, unlike stable low rates in the USA (males, 0.71 [0.67-0.74], 2021).

Bone cancer incidence and mortality are heavily influenced by healthcare system capacity and socioeconomic factors.