[Epidemiological characteristics of pancreatic cancer in China and worldwide]

Objective: To analyze pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality data in China and worldwide and to provide data for pancreatic cancer prevention and control efforts. Methods: Data of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates, along with historical and predictive data, were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database. Epidemiological characteristics of pancreatic cancer was analyzed by region, sex, age and Human Development Index (HDI). Spearman's correlation coefficient test was used to assess the relationship between HDI and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR). Results: In 2022, the global number of new cases and deaths of pancreatic cancer will be 511 thousand and 467 thousand, respectively, with an ASIR and ASMR of 4.7/10⁵ and 4.2/10⁵, respectively. North America and Europe had the highest pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates of 8.5/10⁵ and 7.3/10⁵, respectively. Global ASIR and ASMR in men were both 1.4 times higher than those in women. HDI levels were positively correlated with ASIR (r=0.79, P＜0.001) and ASMR (r=0.78, P＜0.001) of pancreatic cancer in all regions. The number of pancreatic cancer cases and deaths in China were 119 thousand and 106 thousand, respectively, while the ASIR and ASMR of pancreatic cancer were 4.4/10⁵ and 3.9/10⁵, respectively. Both ASIR and ASMR in men were both 1.5 times higher than those in women in China. The number of pancreatic cancer incidence and death cases in China in 2050 is predicted to be 216 thousand and 204 thousand cases, with an increase of 81.5% and 92.5% compared with 2022, respectively. Conclusions: The disease burden of pancreatic cancer varies significantly among different regions, genders and ages. Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality are positively correlated with HDI. The incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in China are close to the global average, but the number of new cases and deaths is high. Prevention and control should be strengthened to improve the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.