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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Hepatitis C | Original Paper

Changing trends in liver cancer incidence by race/ethnicity and sex in the US: 1992–2016

Authors: Maxwell Salvatore, Jihyoun Jeon, Rafael Meza

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 12/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Liver cancer incidence continues to increase while incidence of most other cancers is decreasing. We analyze recent and long-term trends of US liver cancer incidence by race/ethnicity and sex to best understand where to focus preventive efforts.

Methods

Liver cancer incidence rates from 1992 to 2016 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. Delay-adjusted age-standardized incidence trends by race/ethnicity and sex were analyzed using joinpoint regression. Age-specific incidence was analyzed using age-period-cohort models. Hepatitis C seroprevalence by cohort was calculated using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

Results

Liver cancer incidence has peaked in males and Asian or Pacific Islanders. Hispanic males, a high-incidence population, are experiencing a decrease in incidence, although not yet statistically significant. In contrast, incidence continues to increase in females, although at lower rates than in the 1990s, and American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). Liver cancer incidence continues to be higher in males. Non-Hispanic Whites have the lowest incidence among racial/ethnic groups. Trends largely reflect differences in incidence by birth-cohort, which increased considerably, particularly in males, for those born around the 1950s, and continues to increase in females and AI/ANs. The patterns in males are likely driven by cohort variations in Hepatitis C infection.

Conclusions

Liver cancer incidence appears to have peaked among males. However, important differences in liver cancer trends by race/ethnicity and sex remain, highlighting the need for monitoring trends across different groups. Preventive interventions should focus on existing liver cancer disparities, targeting AI/ANs, females, and high-incidence groups.

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Title: Changing trends in liver cancer incidence by race/ethnicity and sex in the US: 1992–2016
Authors: Maxwell Salvatore
Jihyoun Jeon
Rafael Meza
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Hepatitis C
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 12/2019
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-019-01237-4

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