Global, regional, and national burden of primary liver cancer by subtype

Scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partners have calculated the burden of liver cancer by subtype in 2018 at the global, regional, and national levels. These new estimates were published in the European Journal of Cancer.

Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 80% of all cases of primary liver cancer, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma for 15% of all cases, and other subtypes for the remaining 5%. In 2018, about 661 000 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, about 123 000 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and about 42 000 cases of other subtypes occurred worldwide.

The patterns of incidence for each subtype differed across the world. Incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma were highest in Eastern Asia, Northern Africa, and South-Eastern Asia. Incidence rates of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were highest in South-Eastern Asia, Eastern Asia, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and Oceania.

This study uncovers the distinct geographical patterns of incidence of the major subtypes of liver cancer. These estimates will enable public health officials to apply measures that are tailored to the specific mix of subtypes in their regions, to reduce the burden of liver cancer and to monitor progress in controlling hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma globally.

Rumgay H, Ferlay J, de Martel C, Georges D, Ibrahim AS, Zheng R, et al.
Global, regional, and national burden of primary liver cancer by subtype
Eur J Cancer, Published online 20 December 2021;
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2021.11.023

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