Hematologic malignancies burden in China compared with the United States 1990-2021 and projections to 2040

Hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), multiple myeloma (MM), and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), represent some of the most prevalent cancers. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the epidemiological trends of these malignancies in China.

Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021), we conducted a detailed assessment of incidence cases, deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and corresponding age-standardized rates (ASR) of hematologic malignancies in China. Additionally, we compared the disparity in disease burden between China and the United States (US).

In 2021, the incidence cases, deaths, and DALYs of all hematologic malignancies reached 238051.31, 117187.70, and 3894866.98, respectively, in China. From 1990 to 2021, although the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) of leukemia, MM, and NHL increased, the age-standardized death rates (ASDR) and age-standardized DALYs rates (ASDALYR) declined for all subtypes of hematologic malignancies, with the exception of MM. The ASIR of all subtypes of hematologic malignancies in the US was significantly higher than that in China, while the disparity of ASDALYR between the two countries was smaller. The ASRs for all subtypes of hematologic malignancies exhibited a positive correlation with age and were generally higher in males than in females. High body mass index (BMI) emerged as a significant risk factor contributing to deaths from all hematologic malignancies, and tobacco remains the leading contributor to leukemia-related deaths. Projections indicate that the burden of MM will continue to increase from 2022 to 2040.

While the ASIR of hematologic malignancies has risen over recent decades, the ASDR and ASDALYR have showed a decreasing trend, reflecting China's efforts in reducing the burden of these diseases. However, the disparity in disease burden between China and the US underscores the substantial potential for improving the diagnosis, treatment, and care levels in China.