Keywords
cancer incidence - lung cancer - breast cancer - tobacco-related cancer - relative
proportion
Introduction
Nowadays, one of the main causes of sickness and death worldwide is cancer, which
is also a health concern. An estimated 70% increase in cancer incidence is predicted
in the next 20 years, despite continuous global efforts to prevent cancer.[1] Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 71% of all fatalities worldwide.[2] According to estimates, NCDs caused 63% of deaths in India, with cancer being among
the top causes (9%). It is acknowledged that cancer registries are essential parts
of national initiatives to manage cancer.[3] Current data on cancer incidence, trends, and projections can be found in publications
from both industrialized and developing nations. Many National Cancer Registry Programme
(NCRP) cancer reports from various Indian registries have been made public.[4]
[5]
[6] Nearly half of the world's cancer cases and over half of cancer-related deaths occur
in Asian nations, according to the GLOBOCAN 2018 database.[7] Research from both domestic and international sources indicates that the Indian
subcontinent has seen a marked rise in the incidence, morbidity, and death related
to cancer.[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
In a population that is characterized by geography, population-based cancer registries
(PBCRs) offer data on the incidence and prognosis of cancer. In addition, they offer
the structure for evaluating community cancer control. The main applications of HBCRs
are performance reviews of clinical trials and hospital cancer programs, which deal
with the documentation of data on cancer patients seen in a specific hospital. The
PBCR now serves a purpose besides only providing data on the prevalence of cancer
in a certain catchment region.[13] The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) program report 2020 predicts that,
given present trends, there will be 13.9 lakh cancer cases in the country in 2020
and that number is likely to increase to 15.7 lakh by 2025. These approximations are
derived from cancer-related data gathered from 28 PBCRs. Additionally, information
on cancer was provided by 58 hospital-based cancer registries (HBCRs). There will
be 3.7 lakh (27.1%) tobacco-related cancer cases worldwide in 2020, according to estimates.
Among women, breast cancer accounts for an estimated 2.0 lakh cases (14.8%), whereas
cervical cancer accounts for 0.75 lakh occurrences (5.4%). Gastrointestinal tract
malignancies account for an estimated 2.7 lakhs (19.7%) of all cancer cases, affecting
both men and women. The incidence of cancer per 100,000 people in the male population
varies from 269.4 in Aizawl district (the highest in India) to 39.5 in Osmanabad and
Beed district. Comparably, the incidence of cancer in female populations varies from
219.8 cases per 100,000 people in the Papum Pare district to 49.4 cases in the Osmanabad
and Beed areas. Roughly 94,000 new cases of cervical cancer are expected to occur
annually in India alone, where it accounts for 7.92% of all malignancies diagnosed
in women globally.[14]
[15] Breast cancer cases in Indian women have been discovered to be 10 years younger
than in Western women, indicating that breast cancer develops earlier in premenopausal
life in India.[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
Materials and Methods
Materials
Under the ICMR-NCDIR-NCRP (ICMR-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research-NCRP),
there are now 236 HBCRs and 36 PBCRs registered. However, this article contains data
from 58 HBCRs and 28 PBCRs that have at least a year's worth of high-quality data.
Both during and after data submission, the registration data are subjected to multiple
quality checks. These include range, consistency, and family checks in accordance
with the guidelines set forth by the International Association of Cancer Registries.
Both the web-based PBCR data entry application and PBCRDM 2.1 include all the checks.
After the changes are received, the registry database is updated with the list of
instances that may have been incorrectly sent to the relevant registries for verification
using the original medical records. The NCDIR-NCRP greatly facilitates cancer registration
with innovative software applications. The desktop and web-based PBCR software performs
quality checks (including consistency, range, improbable, and family), matching, and
duplicate checks to ensure that the data are accurate and legitimate. Furthermore,
duplicate names that sound similar but have different spellings are filtered out using
a phonetics program. The software is used to identify fluctuations in the number of
cancer cases over time from each source of registration so that the appropriate action
can be taken. When mortality data and incidence are matched, the unmatched mortality
cases are classified as either death certification only or death certificate notification.
After obtaining clarification from each registry at each stage, the data are finalized
and ready for further analysis.
Methods
Study Design
Secondary data from HBCRs and PBCRs were used in the study.
Primary and Secondary Outcomes
This study's primary outcome is to estimate India's cancer incidence utilizing HBCRs
and PBCRs. The estimation of cancer cases projected for 2025 using age-specific incidence
rate is the secondary outcome.
Statistical Analysis
The following formulas are used to compute the crude incidence rate, age-specific
rate (ASpR), age-standardized rate, cumulative risk, and truncated age-adjusted incidence
rate for the obtained data. The statistical software Joinpoint Regression Program,
Version 4.7.0, is used to analyze trends using Joinpoint models, which are regression
lines that are connected at many locations. In this article, the population estimates
for the years 2012 and 2016 were computed using the difference distribution method
(which estimates populations by five annual age groups) using data from the censuses
of 2001 and 2011. The number of cancer cases in India for 2024 was then calculated
by applying the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of each distinct anatomical
site for the years 2012 to 2016 to the predicted population. The total estimate of
all site cancer was obtained by adding the cancer estimates for each individual anatomical
site (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision [ICD-10]: C00–C97).
Utilizing the population-weighted average of the rates from the PBCRs, the pooled
age, sex, and site-specific incidence rates were calculated. The 28 PBCRs were assumed
to be representative of the nation with a steady incidence rate throughout time for
the purpose of estimating the incidence of cancer.
Ethical Approval
This study received ethical approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC)
of the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) under reference
number NCDIR/IEC/3020/2020. Participating Population-Based and Hospital-Based Cancer
Registries also obtained approval from their respective Ethics Committees and secured
consent from local authorities, citizen groups, and community representatives.
Crude Incidence Rate
Crude rate (CR) is the rate found by dividing the total number of cancer cases by
the corresponding mid-year population estimate and then multiplying the result by
100,000.
Age-Specific Rate
ASpR is the rate determined by dividing the total number of cancer cases by the estimated
population in that age group, gender, site, geographic area, and time, then multiplying
the result by 100,000.
Age-Standardized Rate
Cancer incidence increases as age increases. Accordingly, the number of cancer cases
increases with the percentage of the population that is older. The proportion of older
people is higher in most developed and Western countries. Hence, age-adjusted rate
(AAR) or age-standardized rate are calculated using a world standard population that
accounts for this to make cancer rates comparable between nations. By collecting the
ASpRs and applying them to the standard population in that age group, this is estimated
using the direct technique[20] (Boyle and Parkin, 1991).
Cumulative Risk
The probability that a person would acquire a specific cancer at a given age, barring
any other cause of death, is known as cumulative risk. An approximation of the cumulative
risk is the cumulative rate (CuR). It is calculated by multiplying the yearly age-specific
incidence rates by 5 (the 5-year age interval), times 100/100,000. This process is
repeated for each 5-year age interval, up to 64 or 74 years of age, or for whatever
age group is to be used to compute the cumulative risk.
Truncated Age-Adjusted Incidence Rate
This is similar to the age-adjusted rate, with the exception that it is based on a
reduced age range of 35 to 64.
Results
Calculation of Cancer Incidence
The number of men and women covered by PBCRs is provided using data from 32 geographic
locations. There are 865 girls for every 1,000 males in Mumbai PBCR, which has the
lowest sex ratio in the data. In comparison to other PBCRs, the percentage of rural
residents reporting was higher in the northeastern (NE) PBCRs. There are 12 pure urban
PBCRs, 1 pure rural PBCR, and 15 PBCRs that cover the populations of both urban and
rural areas in varying percentages. [Table 1] shows that the top five PBCRs with the highest number of cases registered were Thiruvananthapuram
district (27,833), Bangalore (29,049), Chennai (31,271), Delhi (60,097), and Mumbai
(53,714). With the exception of Manipur, Imphal West district, and Papum Pare district
in Arunachal Pradesh, the majority of registries in the NE region of the country showed
a greater percentage of cancer cases in men. Except for Delhi, the Kollam district,
Kolkata, and Ahmedabad urban, there were more female cancer cases reported in other
places.
Table 1
Total number of cancer cases registered in 28 PBCRs under NCRP
|
S. No
|
Registry
|
Males
|
Females
|
Total
|
|
NORTH
|
|
|
n
|
%
|
n
|
%
|
N
|
|
1
|
Delhi (2012–14)
|
31,032
|
51.6
|
29,065
|
48.4
|
60,097
|
|
2
|
Patiala (2012–16)
|
5,394
|
47.0
|
6,077
|
53
|
11,471
|
|
SOUTH
|
|
3
|
Hyderabad (2012–14)
|
5,143
|
44.4
|
6,453
|
55.6
|
11,596
|
|
4
|
Kollam (2012–16)
|
9,930
|
50.4
|
9,780
|
49.6
|
19,710
|
|
5
|
Thiruvananthapuram (2012–16)
|
13,506
|
48.5
|
14,327
|
51.5
|
27,833
|
|
6
|
Bangalore (2012–14)
|
13,221
|
45.5
|
15,828
|
54.5
|
29,049
|
|
7
|
Chennai (2012–14)
|
14,468
|
46.3
|
16,803
|
53.7
|
31,271
|
|
EAST
|
|
8
|
Kolkata (2012–2015)
|
10,186
|
52.7
|
9,151
|
47.3
|
19,337
|
|
WEST
|
|
9
|
Ahmedabad urban (2012–2016)
|
14,579
|
56.9
|
11,025
|
43.1
|
25,604
|
|
10
|
Aurangabad (2012–2016)
|
1,923
|
49.0
|
2,001
|
51.0
|
3,924
|
|
11
|
Osmanabad and Beed (2012–2015)
|
3,635
|
44.9
|
4,467
|
55.1
|
8,102
|
|
12
|
Barshi rural (2012–2016)
|
726
|
47.2
|
813
|
52.8
|
1,539
|
|
13
|
Mumbai (2012–2015)
|
26,256
|
48.9
|
27,458
|
51.1
|
53,714
|
|
14
|
Pune (2012–2016)
|
9,687
|
47.2
|
10,818
|
52.8
|
20,505
|
|
CENTRAL
|
|
15
|
Wardha district (2012–2016)
|
2,389
|
48.5
|
2,537
|
51.5
|
4,926
|
|
16
|
Bhopal (2012–2015)
|
3,567
|
49.8
|
3,589
|
50.2
|
7,156
|
|
17
|
Nagpur (2012–2016)
|
5,952
|
49.6
|
6,047
|
50.4
|
11,999
|
|
NORTHEAST
|
|
18
|
Manipur state (2012–2016)
|
3,702
|
45.1
|
4,500
|
54.9
|
8,202
|
|
19
|
Mizoram state (2012–2016)
|
4,323
|
53.6
|
3,736
|
46.4
|
8,059
|
|
20
|
Sikkim state (2012–2016)
|
1,172
|
50.9
|
1,131
|
49.1
|
2,303
|
|
21
|
Tripura state (2012–2016)
|
6,559
|
57.2
|
4,914
|
42.8
|
11,473
|
|
22
|
West Arunachal (2012–2016)
|
1,222
|
51.1
|
1,171
|
48.9
|
2,393
|
|
23
|
Meghalaya (2012–2016)
|
4,688
|
62.3
|
2,832
|
37.7
|
7,520
|
|
24
|
Nagaland (2012–2016)
|
1,403
|
58.6
|
992
|
41.4
|
2,395
|
|
25
|
Pasighat (2012–2016)
|
321
|
51.4
|
303
|
48.6
|
624
|
|
26
|
Cachar district (2012–2016)
|
4,663
|
54.2
|
3,943
|
45.8
|
8,606
|
|
27
|
Dibrugarh district (2012–2016
|
2,535
|
53.1
|
2,238
|
46.9
|
4,773
|
|
28
|
Kamrup urban (2012–2016)
|
6,223
|
56.5
|
4,790
|
43.5
|
11,013
|
Abbreviations: n, number of cancer cases, males or females; N, total number of cancer cases; NCRP, National Cancer Registry Programme; PBCR, population-based
cancer registry.
Crude Rate
According to [Table 2], Aizawl district (206.2) has the highest CR per 100,000 men, followed by Mizoram
state (146.1), Kollam district (159.4), Kamrup urban (190.5), and Thiruvananthapuram
district (170.4). Similarly, the district with the highest CR for females is Aizawl
(174.6), followed by Kollam (139.1), Chennai (141.4), Kamrup urban (150.8), and Thiruvananthapuram
(164.8). Greater crude incidence rates in both males and females have been reported
by the registries covering the country's NE and southwest coastal regions.
Table 2
Incidence rates: CR, AAR, and TR (35–64 years) per 100,000 population for all sites
of cancer in 28 PBCRs under NCRP
|
S. No
|
Registry
|
Males
|
Females
|
|
|
CR
|
ARR
|
TR
|
CR
|
ARR
|
TR
|
|
NORTH
|
|
1
|
Delhi (2012–2014)
|
112.3
|
147.0
|
232.2
|
119.6
|
141.0
|
279.0
|
|
2
|
Patiala district (2012–2016)
|
101.6
|
108.2
|
196.4
|
127.7
|
124.6
|
271.4
|
|
SOUTH
|
|
3
|
Hyderabad district (2014–2016)
|
84.2
|
101.6
|
172.2
|
109.8
|
136.0
|
278.3
|
|
4
|
Kollam district (2012–2016)
|
159.4
|
127.7
|
198.0
|
139.1
|
107.1
|
205.7
|
|
5
|
Thiruvananthapuram district (2012–2016)
|
170.4
|
137.8
|
211.5
|
164.8
|
127.3
|
242.8
|
|
6
|
Bangalore (2012–2014)
|
96.8
|
122.1
|
181.7
|
125.1
|
146.8
|
283.6
|
|
7
|
Chennai (2012–2016)
|
121.8
|
119.9
|
185.2
|
141.4
|
132.8
|
260.5
|
|
EAST
|
|
8
|
Kolkata (2012–2015)
|
109.9
|
91.2
|
145.2
|
105.9
|
89.2
|
175.9
|
|
WEST
|
|
9
|
Ahmedabad urban (2012–2016)
|
89.1
|
98.3
|
183.2
|
74.7
|
76.7
|
158.0
|
|
10
|
Aurangabad (2012–2016)
|
56.6
|
70.9
|
121.6
|
62.9
|
75.1
|
158.5
|
|
11
|
Osmanabad and Beed (2012–2015)
|
39.3
|
39.5
|
71.5
|
52.8
|
49.4
|
108.2
|
|
12
|
Barshi rural (2012–2016)
|
53.9
|
50.6
|
80.5
|
67.2
|
61.0
|
126.5
|
|
13
|
Mumbai (2012–2015)
|
97.3
|
108.4
|
155.1
|
117.6
|
116.2
|
207.6
|
|
14
|
Pune (2012–2016)
|
67.5
|
83.0
|
120.0
|
83.3
|
94.0
|
177.7
|
|
CENTRAL
|
|
15
|
Wardha district (2012–2016)
|
70.4
|
64.5
|
109.7
|
78.7
|
69.9
|
148.9
|
|
16
|
Bhopal (2012–2015)
|
83.3
|
101.0
|
180.0
|
90.4
|
106.9
|
223.3
|
|
17
|
Nagpur (2012–2016)
|
89.0
|
91.1
|
158.6
|
93.1
|
89.8
|
188.2
|
|
NORTHEAST
|
|
18
|
Manipur state (2012–2016)
|
47.0
|
62.8
|
91.0
|
57.8
|
71.1
|
129.6
|
|
19
|
Mizoram state (2012–2016)
|
146.1
|
207.0
|
357.7
|
127.5
|
172.3
|
313.2
|
|
20
|
Sikkim state (2012–2016)
|
69.9
|
88.7
|
131.5
|
75.3
|
97.0
|
175.2
|
|
21
|
Tripura state (2012–2016)
|
67.0
|
80.9
|
145.9
|
52.0
|
58.3
|
127.3
|
|
22
|
West Arunachal (2012–2016)
|
56.6
|
101.1
|
199.9
|
56.3
|
96.3
|
215.7
|
|
23
|
Meghalaya (2012–2016)
|
92.6
|
176.8
|
386.0
|
55.7
|
96.5
|
201.1
|
|
24
|
Nagaland (2012–2016)
|
74.5
|
124.5
|
223.8
|
56.3
|
88.2
|
193.6
|
|
25
|
Pasighat (2012–2016)
|
90.7
|
120.4
|
207.6
|
88.1
|
116.2
|
260.3
|
|
26
|
Cachar district (2012–2016)
|
99.2
|
129.0
|
233.4
|
87.0
|
104.8
|
234.2
|
|
27
|
Dibrugarh district (2012–2016)
|
72.5
|
91.9
|
155.9
|
66.0
|
76.8
|
170.7
|
|
28
|
Kamrup urban (2012–2016)
|
190.5
|
213.0
|
339.7
|
150.8
|
169.6
|
320.8
|
Abbreviations: ARR, age-adjusted rate; CR, crude rate; NCRP, National Cancer Registry
Programme; PBCR, population-based cancer registry; TR, truncated rate.
Age-Adjusted Rates
Osmanabad and Beed in Maharashtra have an AAR of 369.5, whereas Aizawl in the state
of Mizoram has an AAR of 269.4. East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya has an AAR of 227.9.
Under the West Arunachal PBCR, the female population varied from 49.4 in the Osmanabad
and Beed districts to 219.8 in the Papum Pare district, with Aizawl district coming
in second at 214.1.
Truncated Rates
Between Osmanabad and Beed district (71.5) and East Khasi Hills district (494.5),
there was a variation in the truncated rate (TR) per 100,000 population for men; Aizawl
district came in second with 485.5. The range for females was likewise 108.2 in the
Osmanabad and Beed districts to 499.0 in the Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh area.
The estimated top sites of cancer cases by time periods (2015, 2020, and 2025) are
shown in [Table 3]. All-site cancers in females are expected to rise to 806,218 in 2025 from 627,202
in 2015, whereas in males they are expected to rise to 763,575 in 2025 from 601,737
in 2015. As of 2025, the number of males and females with anticipated leading cases
of lung and breast cancer, respectively, would be 81,219 and 232,832 accordingly.
Between 2015 and 2025, there is projected to be a 27.7% increase in cancer cases across
all sites combined.
Table 3
Estimated trends in number of cancers for the leading sites (ICD-10 codes) in India
(2015, 2020, and 2025)
|
Males
|
Females
|
|
Cancer site (ICD 10)
|
2015
|
2020
|
2025
|
Cancer site (ICD 10)
|
2015
|
2020
|
2025
|
|
Lung (C33–34)
|
63,087
|
71,788
|
81,219
|
Breast (C50)
|
180,252
|
205,424
|
232,832
|
|
Mouth (C03–C06)
|
50,779
|
57,380
|
64,519
|
Cervix (C53)
|
65,978
|
75,209
|
85,241
|
|
Prostate (C61)
|
36,419
|
41,532
|
47,068
|
Ovary (C56)
|
38,607
|
43,886
|
49,644
|
|
Tongue (C01–C02)
|
35,336
|
39,902
|
44,861
|
Corpus uteri (C54)
|
23,175
|
26,514
|
30,121
|
|
Stomach (C16)
|
28,815
|
32,713
|
36,938
|
Lung (C33–34)
|
23,163
|
26,490
|
30,109
|
|
Others
|
387,301
|
436,106
|
488,970
|
Others
|
296,027
|
335,235
|
378,271
|
|
All sites
|
601,737
|
679,421
|
763,575
|
All sites
|
627,202
|
712,758
|
806,218
|
Abbreviation: ICD-10, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision.
The top five cancer sites in men expected in the year 2024 are the mouth (8.9%), tongue
(6.3%), stomach (5.2%), prostate (6.5%), and lung (11%). They are also shown in [Figs. 1] and [2]. Breast (30.1%), cervix (11.2%), ovary (6.6%), corpus uteri (4.1%), and lung (4%)
were the estimated top five sites of cancer in women. Males were more likely to have
liver cancer (4.2%) among the top 10 cancers than females, whereas females were more
likely to have thyroid (3.8%) and gallbladder (3%) cancers.
Fig. 1 Estimated proportion of top 10 leading sites of cancer in India by sex, males 2024.
Fig. 2 Estimated proportion of top 10 leading sites of cancer in India by sex, females 2024.
According to age group (0–14, 15–39, 40–64, and 65 + ), [Table 4] presents the predicted top five sites of cancer (%) in India by gender for the year
2024. Lymphoid leukemia is the most common site in the childhood (0–14 years) group
for both boys (29.06%) and girls (24.07%). Boys' brain nerve systems (NSs) come in
second with 12.6% and girls' 14.17%, respectively. For males, in the 15- to 39-year-old
age group, the most common sites are the mouth (12.6%), tongue (9.53%), brain NS (7.4%),
myeloid leukemia (6.72%), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (6.23%); for females, the most
common sites are the breast (27.05%), thyroid (13.07), ovary (7.82%), cervix (6.69%),
and myeloid leukemia (3.56%). The mouth (11.08%), tongue (7.52%), and lung (11.0%)
were the most common sites among males in the 40 to 64 age group. The most common
sites in females were the breast (32.3%), cervix (12.2%), and ovary (6.70%); there
were high incidence of cases in this age range in both males (350,141) and females
(439,960). In men over 65 years, the prostate (11.9%) was the second most common site
after the lung (12.90%). Lung cancer was the most prevalent cancer in men over 40
years, while breast cancer was the most common in women.
Table 4
The estimated top five leading sites of cancer (number and proportion) in India by
age group (0–14, 15–39, 40–64, and 65+ age groups) and sex for the year 2024
|
Males
|
Females
|
|
Cancer site
|
n (%)
|
Cancer site
|
n (%)
|
|
0–14 years
|
|
Lymphoid leukemia (C91)
|
6,365 (29.06)
|
Lymphoid leukemia (C91)
|
3,568 (24.07)
|
|
Brain and NS (C70–C72)
|
2,740 (12.6)
|
Brain and NS (C70–C72)
|
2,100 (14.17)
|
|
NHL (C82–86, C96)
|
1,720 (7.6)
|
Bone (C40–C41)
|
1,226 (8.27)
|
|
Hodgkin's disease (C81)
|
1,624 (7.6)
|
Myeloid leukemia (C92–C94)
|
1,270 (8.56)
|
|
Myeloid leukemia (C92–C94)
|
1,601 (7.31)
|
NHL (C82–86, C96)
|
953 (6.42)
|
|
Other sites
|
7,848 (36)
|
Other sites
|
5,705 (38.5)
|
|
All sites
|
21,898 (100)
|
All sites
|
14,822 (100)
|
|
15–39 years
|
|
Mouth (C03–C06)
|
10,122 (12.60)
|
Breast (C50)
|
27,562 (27.05)
|
|
Tongue (C01–C02)
|
7,652 (9.53)
|
Thyroid (C73)
|
13,324 (13.07)
|
|
Brain and NS (C70–C72)
|
5,923 (7.4)
|
Ovary (C56)
|
7,966 (7.82)
|
|
Myeloid leukemia (C92–C94)
|
5,400 (6.72)
|
Cervix (C53)
|
6,821 (6.69)
|
|
NHL (C82–86, C96)
|
5,012 (6.23)
|
Myeloid leukemia (C92–C94)
|
3,625 (3.56)
|
|
Other sites
|
46,216 (57.5)
|
Other sites
|
42,568 (41.8)
|
|
All sites
|
80,325 (100)
|
All sites
|
101,866 (100)
|
|
40–64 years
|
|
Lung (C33–34)
|
38,537 (11.0)
|
Breast (C50)
|
142,124 (32.3)
|
|
Mouth (C03–C06)
|
38,800 (11.08)
|
Cervix (C53)
|
53,687 (12.20)
|
|
Tongue (C01–C02)
|
26,354 (7.52)
|
Ovary (C56)
|
29,514 (6.70)
|
|
Esophagus (C15)
|
19,964 (5.7)
|
Corpus uteri (C54)
|
20,142 (4.6)
|
|
Stomach (C16)
|
19,231 (5.5)
|
Lung (C33–34)
|
15,841 (3.60)
|
|
Other sites
|
207,254 (59.19)
|
Other sites
|
178,652 (40.6)
|
|
All sites
|
350,141 (100)
|
All sites
|
439,960 (100)
|
|
65+ years
|
|
Lung (C33–34)
|
37,600 (12.90)
|
Breast (C50)
|
51,123 (22.7)
|
|
Prostate (C61)
|
34,562 (11.9)
|
Cervix (C53)
|
21,134 (9.4)
|
|
Esophagus (C15)
|
15,963 (5.5)
|
Lung (C33–34)
|
13,258 (5.9)
|
|
Stomach (C16)
|
15,623 (5.3)
|
Ovary (C56)
|
13,245 (5.87)
|
|
Mouth (C03–C06)
|
15,784 (5.40)
|
Mouth (C03–C06)
|
10,246 (4.54)
|
|
Other sites
|
172,231 (59.0)
|
Other sites
|
116,258 (51.6)
|
|
All sites
|
291,763 (100)
|
All sites
|
225,264 (100)
|
Abbreviations: NHL, non-Hodgkin lymphoma; NS, nervous system.
[Supplementary Fig. S1] (online only) shows India's projected ASIR and number of cancer patients by gender
and age group over a 5-year period in 2024. In both males and females, the ASIR for
all cancer sites began to rise at age 25. The ASIR was higher in females than in males
between the ages of 25 and 59 years. The ASIR for males was higher than that of females
above the age of 60, peaking at 710.8 per 100,000 at 75 years or older. In contrast,
the ASIR fell to 452.7 per 100,000 in females aged 75 year and above. The age group
of 60 to 64 years old had the greatest number of cancer cases (105,561 female cases
and 106,542 male cases).
The Relative Proportion of Cancer Cases Across All Sites in Hospital-Based Cancer
Registries
A total of 58 HBCR centers that have successfully finished data transmission and quality
checks for 1 or more years between 2012 and 2016 were chosen for inclusion in the
study out of the 236 HBCR centers registered with NCRP. Several of these hospitals'
data (42 out of 58) are included in the NCDIR-NCRP network for the first time. The
analysis excludes the remaining HBCRs due to insufficient data. According to pooled
data from 58 HBCRs, the number and relative proportion of patients by treatment types,
educational attainment, and clinical severity of disease at the time of diagnosis
are shown for a few selected locations. The reporting institute (RI) has exclusively
treated cases; instances that were previously processed outside of RI have not been
analyzed. In relation to all instances of cancer with microscopically diagnosed tumors,
the major histologic type (according to the World Health Organization categorization
of tumors) and its relative proportion have been described for the 58 HBCRs in this
study. Males made up 52.9% and females made up 47.1% of the 667,666 cases that were
registered. Male and female cancer patients at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai accounted
for the greatest number of newly reported cases across all cancer sites. The relative
proportion and new cases reported for all sites of cancer in 58 HBCRs is provided
in [Supplementary Table S1] (online only).
Cancer Associated with Tobacco in Males and Females
It is established that tobacco use is linked to malignancies in several anatomical
locations. The World Health Organization's monographs on general assessments of carcinogenicity,
published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 1987, have
been the basis for the NCRP's classification system. More anatomical sites discussing
the connection between tobacco use and cancer have been added to the most current
IARC monographs. The following regions are used to group the data from all 58 HBCRs:
North, South, East, West, Central, and North East. This is performed irrespective
of the patient's residency status.
With a cancer incidence rate of 70.4% in men and 46.5% in women, the East Khasi Hills
district of Meghalaya has the greatest relative proportion of malignancies linked
to tobacco smoking. Thiruvananthapuram district had the lowest number of cancer sites
associated with tobacco use (10.1%) among females, while West Arunachal had the lowest
percentage among males (24.5%). The NE states of India had the highest percentage
of female smokers with cancer, followed by the central and western regions of India
with the highest number of registries. The relative proportion of specific sites of
cancer associated with the use of tobacco by region is mentioned in [Supplementary Table S2] (online only).
Lung Cancer
The incidence rates of lung cancer in both males and females in the PBCRs of Bangalore,
Delhi, Chennai, and Kamrup urban have significantly increased. In contrast to the
11 PBCRs involving females, 5 PBCRs involving males showed a statistically significant
rise in incidence rates. In terms of male and female incidence rates, Aizawl district
ranked highest at 38.8 and 37.9 per 100,000, respectively. Data on the overall number
of lung cancer cases that have been reported, together with the disease's relative
proportion and incidence rates, are included in [Supplementary Tables S3] and [S4] (online only).
Lung cancer rates among nonsmokers are increasing, and significant contributing factors
are radon gas, indoor smoke from solid fuels, outdoor air pollution, and hazardous
dust exposure. Other notable concerns include genetic predisposition and passive smoking.
Preventive measures such as promoting smoke-free environments, improving indoor ventilation,
and reducing air pollution can play a vital role in mitigating these risks.
Discussion
Cancer is not homogeneous in India. For both males and females, the incidence rates
in Aizawl district were found to be seven times and four times higher, respectively,
than those in Osmanabad and Beed district PBCRs. Compared with other parts of the
nation, the NE region had the highest cancer incidence rate (six PBCRs for males and
four PBCRs for females). Cancer was most common in the NE region in the following
areas: stomach, liver, gallbladder, esophagus, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, cervix uteri,
lung, and breast. The low 5-year survival rates of head and neck, breast, and cervical
cancer in comparison to the rest of India indicate that the NE region lacks the necessary
infrastructure in terms of specialist treatment facilities and human resources. A
significant percentage of cancer patients from the NE region go outside of the region
for their care. As shown in Thailand, the variety in cancer incidence pattern and
variances in India may have been influenced by local cultural variables and lifestyle
choices.
The most prevalent malignancies in men were those of the lung (9 PBCRs), mouth (9
PBCRs), esophagus (5 PBCRs), stomach (4 PBCRs), and nasopharynx (1 PBCR). The most
common cancer in urban areas and the south was lung cancer, whereas the most common
cancer in the west and central regions was mouth cancer. The most prevalent malignancies
among men in the Indian subcontinent were lung and mouth cancers. Most cases in the
NE part of India were stomach, nasopharyngeal, and esophageal cancers. Compared with
the rest of India, this region has a different cancer incidence pattern. The cancer
incidence pattern is comparable to that of Southeast Asia. All things considered,
these cancer pattern findings aligned with previously released data under NCRP.
The hospital database was employed for this type of study since it is challenging
to extract data from PBCRs regarding the clinical severity of the illness and its
course of treatment. Most cases of cervix uteri and breast cancer were discovered
after they were already locally progressed. The standard treatment for cervical cancer
in locally advanced or metastatic stages is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
Additionally, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and immunotherapy have
enhanced treatment options, providing a more comprehensive approach to managing the
disease. In India, a multi-institutional study on cervix cancer revealed that, in
the locally advanced stage, chemotherapy and radiation proved to be substantially
more effective in survival than radiation therapy alone. Concurrent chemoradiation
for locally advanced cervical cancer produced the best disease-free survival, according
to a study from Chennai. When it came to head and neck malignancies from HBCRs, two-thirds
of the patients had a locoregional cancer diagnosis. The data from Uttarakhand reveal
a concerning trend in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer, with most patients (88.1%)
presenting at advanced stages. This suggests that early detection methods are insufficient,
highlighting the need for more effective screening programs and public awareness initiatives.
The fact that only 8.5% of patients are diagnosed in the early stages points to a
significant gap in health care practices, which could lead to worse outcomes for patients.
To address this issue, focused efforts are required to raise awareness, enhance detection
capabilities, and implement region-specific strategies for early diagnosis and intervention.
This is particularly crucial in areas with high incidence rates of head and neck cancers,
where timely treatment can significantly improve survival rates. According to an estimate
from a multi-institutional study, poor survival occurred in 65% of newly diagnosed
head and neck malignancies with locally advanced disease because they did not receive
the best possible care.
The lack of notification for cancer makes it difficult to register cases in India
and makes data collection more difficult.[21]
[22]
[23]
[24] The anticipated cancer burden in India for 2001 was derived from the data obtained
from the three PBCRs.[25] Updates to cancer estimates were released based on PBCRs that were available as
a result of their expansion.[26]
[27]
[28]
[29] Recently, GLOBOCAN estimated the cancer incidence in India for 2020 using data from
27 PBCRs from 2012 to 2014 and the ASIR, which estimates cancer incidence across five
continents.[30]
[31] Based on the assumption that the ASIR in 2020 would remain unchanged, China predicted
the incidence for the year 2022.[32] There are various flaws in the mortality registration system, one of which is the
erroneous and incomplete certification of the reason for death.[33]
[34] A framework for evaluating India's cancer trends and status is provided by this
research. As a result, the national NCD targets and the sustainable development goals
will be met, and work to promote cancer prevention and control will receive the proper
support.[8]
[35]
Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women, with family history being a key risk
factor. Women with close relatives who had breast cancer, especially at a young age,
are at higher risk. Genetic testing can identify mutations in genes like BRCA1 and
BRCA2, which significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Other
genetic mutations, such as in PALB2 and CHEK2, can also raise risk. Genetic testing
helps guide preventive measures and informed health decisions, though not all cases
are hereditary. Family history and genetic testing are valuable for assessing risk
and prevention.
Adolescent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination helps prevent cervical cancer by
focusing on the virus that causes the disease. Early screening for women, such as
Pap smears and HPV tests, can detect precancerous alterations in the cervix. Early
treatment is possible with the timely discovery of these lesions, which lowers the
risk of malignancy. Implementing screening and immunization initiatives can significantly
reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. These preventive approaches decrease the
burden of cervical cancer and improve overall health outcomes.
In conclusion, India's cancer incidence burden is still rising. Breast cancer ranked
highest among the five most common cancers in women, followed by cancers of the cervix,
ovary, and corpus uteri. Three sites were restricted to tobacco-related malignancies
in males: the tongue, mouth, and lungs. To lessen the burden of cancer in the future,
a preventative action must be performed. The updated estimates are beneficial for
early diagnosis, risk reduction, and management initiatives related to cancer prevention
and control in India. To go further into the causes of the cancer burden and offer
practical remedies, however, appropriate research is required.
Limitations of the Study
There are several challenges to be addressed while registering a case in India to
gather data, as cancer is not a disease that needs to be reported. Because of limits
in the number of deaths from cancer, mortality data were incomplete due to inadequate
coverage of the Civil Registration System. Accurate death statistics have proven difficult
to obtain, and the quality of the data differs throughout PBCRs. As a result, no attempt
was made to estimate incidence from death or survival. Statistical modeling techniques
like age–period–cohort could not be included because most of the PBCRs did not have
longer data periods available. In low- and middle-income nations, launching a PBCR
presented several difficulties. For the goal of cancer control, a sample of regional
PBCRs or a group of regional PBCRs with 10% of coverage would be very beneficial.
This is the finest cancer data available in the nation for estimation under these
circumstances. The burden estimates for India and a few of the neighboring nations
in South Asia have been derived from GLOBOCAN and IARC using the identical PBCRs.
In India, cancer incidence might be better covered with fewer resources if health
care providers registered through passive notification. For the smooth enhancement
of cancer statistics, cancer registries must be connected to many national and local
databases (Ayushman Bharat, other insurance programs, mortality databases, Health
Management Information System, etc.).
Conclusion
The NE region of India had the highest cancer incidence recorded. The most prevalent
malignancies in men were those of the mouth, throat, stomach, and esophagus. The most
prevalent malignancies in women were cervix uteri and breast cancer. Oropharyngeal,
nasopharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, esophageal, stomach, liver, gall bladder, larynx,
lung, and cervix uteri cancers had the highest cancer burden in the NE. For stomach
and lung cancer, systemic therapy was the most often used form of treatment. In the
world, people over 65 years account for half of all cancer cases, while in India,
the proportion is one-third. In India, however, the 40- to 64-year-old age group accounts
for half of the estimated cancer burden. According to estimates, the incidence of
cancer cases will rise from 2.8% in 2020 to 12.8% in 2025. By 2025, 29.8 million disability-adjusted
life years are expected to be caused by cancer in India, according to a recent NCRP
study. The burden of cancer in the future must be decreased by taking a preventative
action. When it comes to early detection, risk reduction, and management initiatives
aimed at controlling cancer in India, the updated estimations are beneficial. But
to address the causes of the cancer burden and offer practical remedies, adequate
research is required.
