Epidemiology and trend analysis on malignant mesothelioma in China

Objective: Population-based cancer registration data were used to analyze the epidemiology and trend of malignant mesothelioma in China, and the result would provide basic data for its prevention and control.

Methods: Malignant mesothelioma data in 2013 were retrieved from the database of National Cancer Registry. Malignant mesothelioma incidence and mortality were estimated using age-specific rate by urban/rural and gender according to the national population in 2013. Malignant mesothelioma data from 22 cancer registries were used for trend analysis during 2000-2013.

Results: It is estimated that there were 2,041 new malignant mesothelioma cases and 1,659 malignant mesothelioma deaths occurred in 2013. The crude incidence rate in China were 1.50/10⁶ (males 1.67/10⁶, females 1.32/10⁶), age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 1.03/10⁶ and 1.02/10⁶, respectively. The crude mortality rate in China was 1.22/10⁶ (males 1.67/10⁶, females 1.32/10⁶), age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by world standard population (ASMRW) were 0.83/10⁶ and 0.81/10⁶, respectively. There was an increasing trend of incidence rate for malignant mesothelioma in registration areas of China during 2000-2013 with annual percentage change (APC) of 2.5% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.6%-4.5%]. After age standardization, no significant differences were observed. No matter for crude mortality rates or age-standardized mortality rates, no significant differences were observed during 2000-2013.

Conclusions: Malignant mesothelioma is the major occupational and environmental neoplasm associated with asbestos exposure. The increasing incidence trend suggests that more attention should be paid on this disease.