The Number Of Deaths Worldwide Because Of Liver Cancer In 2020

Liver cancer is a common cause of death due to cancer among residents, and its mortality rate ranks fourth in the world. Epidemiological studies have confirmed that HBV infection is the most important risk factor for liver cancer. Second, hepatitis C virus, aflatoxin, alcohol consumption, and metabolic factors such as obesity and diabetes may also be risk factors for HCC. Due to differences in the distribution of risk factors for liver cancer, the status of screening implementation, and treatment in different regions, the disease burden of liver cancer varies among regions.

Global Overview of Liver Cancer Incidence and Death

In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 905,677 new cases of liver cancer worldwide, accounting for 4.69% of the global cancer incidence, with an incidence rate of 9.5/100,000. The top five regions with the highest incidence are East Asia, North Africa, Micronesia, Southeast Asia and Melanesia. The incidence of liver cancer in Central and South Asia is the lowest, only 3.0/100,000, but its incidence ranks third in the world, far exceeding the incidence of liver cancer in regions with higher incidence. In 2020, the number of deaths worldwide because of liver cancer is 830,180, accounting for 8.30% of global cancer deaths, with a mortality rate of 8.7/100,000. The mortality rate of liver cancer is higher in East Asia, North Africa, Southeast Asia, Micronesia, and Melanesia, and the mortality rate of liver cancer in Central and South Asia is the lowest, only 2.8/100,000, but the number of deaths worldwide is relatively high. Melanesia, Southeast Asia, Central and South Asia, West Africa, and West Asia had the highest liver cancer death-to-incidence ratios (all ≥0.96).

Overview of liver cancer incidence and death by country

Mongolia has the highest incidence of liver cancer in the world, at 85.6/100,000. The incidence of liver cancer in China, South Korea, and Japan is relatively high in Asia, while the incidence of liver cancer in Western countries such as the United States and France is lower than the global average. Mongolia also has the highest liver cancer mortality rate in the world and is significantly higher than other countries. Among the countries with high liver cancer incidence rates in China, Japan, and Korea in the Asian region, China has the highest liver cancer mortality rate, while Japan's liver cancer mortality rate is significantly lower than the global average.

Sex-disaggregated morbidity and mortality

The incidence of liver cancer in men was significantly higher than that in women, 14.1/100,000 and 5.2/100,000, respectively. The incidence of liver cancer is highest in men in East Asia and in women in North Africa. In Western Europe, the incidence of liver cancer is higher in men, but lower in women. Men in Central America ranked 13th in incidence, but women in Central America ranked 5th. The incidence of liver cancer was lowest in both men and women in South-Central Asia. The top five regions for liver cancer mortality in men are East Asia, Southeast Asia, North Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia, but the top five regions for liver cancer mortality in women are North Africa, Melanesia, East Asia, Southeast Asia and West Africa.

Age-specific morbidity and mortality

The morbidity of liver cancer increases with age little by little. Before the 35-year-old age group, the incidence of liver cancer was relatively small, less than 20,000. The incidence of liver cancer in the 40-year-old age group began to increase rapidly, reaching a peak in the 65-year-old age group, and then the incidence decreased. The number of deaths worldwide because of liver cancer was similar to that of incidence, relatively small until age 35, then rapidly increasing, peaking at age 65, and then declining. The mortality rate of liver cancer also gradually increased with age.

According to the above data, it can be found that the incidence of liver cancer in men is significantly higher than that in women in most areas. Although the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is not yet clear, some studies believe that the reason for this difference may be related to hormone levels and exposure to risk factors. In addition, estrogen may have a protective effect against liver cancer, while androgens may be a risk factor for liver cancer. There are age differences in the incidence and the number of deaths worldwide because of liver cancer. Age and gender are important variables for judging high-risk groups of liver cancer, and targeted prevention and control measures should be taken for different age groups and genders.

In conclusion, the number of deaths worldwide because of liver cancer remains high, especially in East Asia. Countries with high HDI levels have a better prognosis for liver cancer, and there are significant gender differences in the incidence and mortality of liver cancer in different regions. In the future, it is still necessary to take targeted prevention and treatment measures for different groups of people and different regions. Strengthening vaccination and increasing the participation rate of liver cancer screening in the population are still important methods for liver cancer prevention and control.