Incidence and mortality of corpus uteri cancer in China, 2008−2012

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence and mortality rates of corpus uteri cancer in China using 2008−2012 data from the National Central Cancer Registry (NCCR) of China. METHODS: We analyzed 2008−2012 data from 135 cancer registries using NCCR screening methods and criteria. The Chinese standard population in 2000 and Segi’s world population were applied to determine age-standardized incidence and mortality rates. The annual percentage change (APC) in rate was calculated using the Joinpoint Regression Program. RESULTS: The crude incidence of corpus uteri cancer was 9.58/100,000, making corpus uteri cancer the ninth most common malignancy in females. The crude mortality was 2.97/100,000, making corpus uteri cancer the 13th leading cause of death from malignant tumors in females. The incidence was higher in urban than in rural areas, but the mortality was higher in rural than in urban areas. The crude incidence was higher in eastern areas than in middle and western areas, while the crude mortality was higher in middle areas than in eastern and western areas. During 2003−2012, the age-standardized incidence rate based on the Chinese standard population in 2000 (ASIRC) with uterine cancer increased significantly by 3.0% annually, while the age-standardized mortality rate based on the Chinese standard population in 2000 (ASMRC) decreased by 0.4% annually, but the decrease was not statistically significant. The APC in incidence rate in the age groups of 30−44 years was 4.2%, which was statistically significant; increases/decreases in other age groups were not statistically significant. From 2003 to 2004, the age groups of 60−74 years showed high incidence, while from 2005 to 2012, the age groups of 45−59 years had high incidence. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and mortality rates of corpus uteri cancer in China from 2008 to 2012 were relatively low compared with other countries. However, the significant increase in incidence rates and marked decrease in patient age suggest the need to strengthen China’s efforts toward prevention and control of corpus uteri cancer.