Survey of hepatitis B virus infection for liver cancer screening in China: A population-based, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the primary cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China. The target population for HCC screening comprises individuals who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). However, current data on the prevalence of HBV infection among individuals who are eligible for HCC screening in China are lacking. We aimed to assess the seroepidemiology of HBV infection among Chinese individuals eligible for HCC screening to provide the latest evidence for appropriate HCC screening strategies in China. METHODS: Questionnaires including information of sex, age, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, source of drinking water, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption history and serum samples were collected from females aged 45-64 years and males aged 35-64 years in 21 counties from 4 provinces in eastern and central China between 2015 and 2023. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to detect the serum HBV marker HBsAg. RESULTS: A total of 603,082 individuals were enrolled, and serum samples were collected for analysis from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2023. The prevalence of HBsAg positive in the study population was 5.23% (31,528/603,082). The prevalence of HBsAg positive was greater in males than in females (5.60% [17,660/315,183] vs. 4.82% [13,868/287,899], χ2 = 187.52, P <0.0001). The elderly participants exhibited a greater prevalence of HBV infection than younger participants (χ2 = 41.73, P <0.0001). Birth cohort analysis revealed an overall downward trend in HBV prevalence for both males and females. Individuals born in more recent cohorts exhibited a lower prevalence of HBV infection as compared to those born earlier. CONCLUSIONS: The current prevalence of HBV infection remains above 5% in populations eligible for HCC screening in China. Further efforts should be made to increase the accessibility of HCC screening among individuals with HBV infection.

The current infection with Helicobacter pylori and association with upper gastrointestinal lesions and risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer: Insights from multicenter population-based cohort study.

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers is complex. This multicenter, population-based cohort study conducted in seven areas in China aimed to assess the correlation between current H. pylori infection and the severity of UGI lesions, as well as its association with the risk of gastric cancer (GC) and esophageal cancer (EC). From 2015 to 2017, 27,085 participants (aged 40-69) completed a standardized questionnaire, and underwent a 13C-urea breath test. Then a subset underwent UGI endoscopy to assess the UGI lesion detection rates. All individuals were followed up until December 2021 to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) for UGI cancers. H. pylori infection prevalence was 45.9%, and among endoscopy participants, 22.2% had gastric lesions, 19.2% had esophageal lesions. Higher detection rates of gastric lesions were noted in the H. pylori-positive population across all lesion severity levels. Over a median follow-up of 6.3 years, 104 EC and 179 GC cases were observed, including 103 non-cardia gastric cancer (NCGC) cases and 76 cardia gastric cancer (CGC) cases. H. pylori-infected individuals exhibited a 1.78-fold increased risk of GC (HR 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-2.40) but no significant increase in EC risk (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.73-1.57). Notably, there was a higher risk for both NCGC and CGC in H. pylori-infected individuals. This population-based cohort study provides valuable evidence supporting the association between current H. pylori infection and the risk of both NCGC and CGC. These findings contribute to the empirical basis for risk stratification and recommendations for UGI cancer screening.

Cancer profiles in China and comparisons with the USA: a comprehensive analysis in the incidence, mortality, survival, staging, and attribution to risk factors.

China faces a disproportionate cancer burden to the population size and is undergoing a transition in the cancer spectrum. We extracted data in five aspects of cancer incidence, mortality, survival, staging distributions, and attribution to risk factors in China, the USA and worldwide from open-source databases. We conducted a comprehensive secondary analysis of cancer profiles in China in the above aspects, and compared cancer statistics between China and the USA. A total of 4,546,400 new cancer cases and 2,992,600 deaths occurred in China in 2020, accounting for 25.1% and 30.2% of global cases, respectively. Lifestyle-related cancers including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer showed an upward trend and have been the leading cancer types in China. 41.6% of new cancer cases and 49.3% of cancer deaths occurred in digestive-system cancers in China, and the cancers of esophagus, nasopharynx, liver, and stomach in China accounted for over 40% of global cases. Infection-related cancers showed the highest population-attributable fractions among Chinese adults, and most cancers could be attributed to behavioral and metabolic factors. The proportions of stage I for most cancer types were much higher in the USA than in China, except for esophageal cancer (78.2% vs. 41.1%). The 5-year relative survival rates in China have improved substantially during 2000-2014, whereas survival for most cancer types in the USA was significantly higher than in China, except for upper gastrointestinal cancers. Our findings suggest that although substantial progress has been made in cancer control, especially in digestive system cancers in China, there was still a considerable disparity in cancer burden between China and the USA. More robust policies on risk factors and standardized screening practices are urgently warranted to curb the cancer growth and improve the prognosis for cancer patients.

Cancer statistics for young adults aged 20 to 49 years in China from 2000 to 2017: a population-based registry study.

An increasing cancer incidence among adults younger than 50 years has been reported for several types of cancer in multiple countries. We aimed to report cancer profiles and trends among young adults in China. Data from the China Cancer Registry Annual Report were used to estimate incidence and mortality among young adults (ages 20-49 years) in China in 2017, and an age-period-cohort model was employed to estimate the average annual percent change (AAPC) in incidence and mortality from 2000 to 2017. All 25 cancer types were grouped into obesity- or overweight-associated cancers (12 cancer types) and additional cancers (13 cancer types). In 2017, there were 681,178 new cases and 214,591 cancer deaths among young adults in China. Among young adults, the most common cancers were thyroid, breast, cervical, liver, lung, and colorectal cancer, and the leading causes of cancer deaths were liver, lung, cervical, stomach, breast, and colorectal cancer. From 2000 to 2017, the cancer incidence increased for all cancers combined among young adults, with the highest AAPC (1.46%) for adults aged 20-24 years, while cancer mortality decreased, with the highest AAPC (-1.63%) for those aged 35-39 years. In conclusion, the cancer incidence in China has increased among young adults, while cancer mortality has decreased for nearly all ages. Cancer control measures, such as obesity control and appropriate screening, may contribute to reducing the increasing cancer burden among young adults.

Performance and effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma screening in individuals with HBsAg seropositivity in China: a multicenter prospective study.

Current guidelines recommend hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance for at-risk individuals, including individuals with hepatitis B virus infection. However, the performance and survival benefits of annual screening have not been evaluated through multicenter prospective studies in a Chinese population. Between 2017 and 2021, we included 14,426 participants with hepatitis B surface antigen seropositivity in an annual HCC screening study in China using a multicenter prospective design with ultrasonography and serum alpha-fetoprotein. After four rounds of screening and follow-up, the adjusted hazard ratios of death after correction for lead-time and length-time biases for screen-detected cancers at the prevalent and incident rounds were 0.74 (95% confidence interval = 0.60-0.91) and 0.52 (95% confidence interval = 0.40-0.68), respectively. A meta-analysis demonstrated that HCC screening was associated with improved survival after adjusting for lead-time bias. Our findings highlight the 'real-world' feasibility and effectiveness of annual HCC screening in community settings for the early detection of HCC and to improve survival.

Long-term esophageal cancer risk and distinct surveillance intervals after a single endoscopy screening: a multicentre population-based cohort study.

Background: Endoscopy surveillance is recommended for mild-moderate dysplasia and negative endoscopy findings every 3 years and 5 years, respectively, but evidence is limited. This study aimed to assess long-term esophageal cancer (EC) incidence and mortality after a single endoscopy screening. Methods: We included individuals at high risk of EC aged 40-69 years who underwent endoscopy screening in 2007-2012 at six centres in rural China and had a baseline diagnosis of negative endoscopy findings, mild dysplasia, or moderate dysplasia. Participants were followed up for EC incidence and mortality. Cumulative incidence and mortality rates of EC were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analyses. Cox regression models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between baseline endoscopy diagnosis and the risk of EC incidence and mortality. EC incidence and mortality after a single endoscopy screening were compared with those of the population in rural China by the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Findings: A total of 42,827 participants (40,977 with negative endoscopy findings, 1562 with mild dysplasia, and 288 with moderate dysplasia) were included; 268 EC cases and 128 EC deaths were identified during a median follow-up of 10.62 years. The cumulative EC incidence at 10 years was 0.45% (0.38-0.52) in the group with negative endoscopy findings, 2.39% (1.62-3.16) in the mild dysplasia group, and 8.90% (5.57-12.24) in the moderate dysplasia group, and the cumulative EC mortality at 10 years was 0.23% (0.18-0.27), 0.96% (0.46-1.46), and 2.50% (0.67-4.33), respectively. Compared with individuals with negative endoscopy findings, the HRs for EC incidence and mortality in the mild dysplasia group were 3.52 (2.49-4.97) and 2.43 (1.41-4.19), and those in the moderate dysplasia group were 13.18 (8.78-19.76) and 6.46 (3.13-13.29), respectively. The SIR was 0.53 (0.40-0.70) for the group with negative endoscopy findings, 1.95 (1.69-2.24) for the mild dysplasia group, and 6.75 (6.25-7.28) for the moderate dysplasia group, with the SMRs of 0.43 (0.31-0.58), 1.07 (0.88-1.29) and 2.67 (2.36-3.01), respectively. Interpretation: Individuals with negative endoscopy findings after a single endoscopy screening had a lower EC risk than the general population for up to 10.62 years, while those with mild-moderate dysplasia had an elevated risk. Our results support endoscopy surveillance for mild-moderate dysplasia every 3 years and suggest extending the interval to 10 years after a negative endoscopy finding. Funding: National Key R&D Programme of China, Special Project of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Basic Research Cooperation, and Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen.

Global patterns of cancer transitions: A modelling study.

Cancer is a major contributor to global disease burden. Many countries experienced or are experiencing the transition that non-infection-related cancers replace infection-related cancers. We aimed to characterise burden changes for major types of cancers and identify global transition patterns. We focused on 10 most common cancers worldwide and extracted age-standardised incidence and mortality in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 through the Global Burden of Disease Study. Two-stage modelling design was used. First, we applied growth mixture models (GMMs) to identify distinct trajectories for incidence and mortality of each cancer type. Next, we performed latent class analysis to detect cancer transition patterns based on the categorisation results from GMMs. Kruskal-Wallis H tests were conducted to evaluate associations between transition patterns and socioeconomic indicators. Three distinct patterns were identified as unfavourable, intermediate and favourable stages. Trajectories of lung and breast cancers had the strongest association with transition patterns among men and women. The unfavourable stage was characterised by rapid increases in lung, breast and colorectal cancers alongside stable or decreasing burden of gastric, cervical, oesophageal and liver cancers. In contrast, the favourable stage exhibited rapid declines in most cancers. The unfavourable stage was associated with lower sociodemographic index, health expenditure, gross domestic product per capita and higher maternal mortality ratio (P < .001 for all associations). Our findings suggest that unfavourable, intermediate and favourable transition patterns exist. Countries and territories in the unfavourable stage tend to be socioeconomically disadvantaged, and tailored intervention strategies are needed in these resource-limited settings.

Profiles and Findings of Population-Based Esophageal Cancer Screening With Endoscopy in China: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Population-based esophageal cancer (EC) screening trials and programs have been conducted in China for decades; however, screening strategies have been adopted in different regions and screening profiles are unclear. OBJECTIVE: We performed a meta-analysis to profile EC screening in China by positivity rate, compliance rate, and endoscopy findings, aiming to provide explicit evidence and recommendations for EC screening programs. METHODS: English (PubMed, Embase) and Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang) language databases were systematically searched for population-based EC screening studies in the Chinese population until December 31, 2022. A meta-analysis was performed by standard methodology using a random-effects model. Pooled prevalence rates were calculated for three groups: high-risk areas with a universal endoscopy strategy, rural China with a risk-stratified endoscopic screening (RSES) strategy, and urban China with an RSES strategy. Positive cases included lesions of severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, intramucosal carcinoma, submucosal carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma. RESULTS: The pooled positivity rate of the high-risk population was higher in rural China (44.12%) than in urban China (23.11%). The compliance rate of endoscopic examinations was the highest in rural China (52.40%), followed by high-risk areas (50.11%), and was the lowest in urban China (23.67%). The pooled detection rate of positive cases decreased from 1.03% (95% CI 0.82%-1.30%) in high-risk areas to 0.48% (95% CI 0.25%-0.93%) in rural China and 0.12% (95% CI 0.07%-0.21%) in urban China. The pooled detection rate of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) was also in the same order, being the highest in high-risk areas (3.99%, 95% CI 2.78%-5.69%), followed by rural China (2.55%, 95% CI 1.03%-6.19%) and urban China (0.34%, 95% CI 0.14%-0.81%). Higher detection rates of positive cases and LGIN were observed among males than among females and at older ages. The pooled early detection rate was 81.90% (95% CI 75.58%-86.88%), which was similar to the rates in high-risk areas (82.09%), in rural China (80.76%), and in urban China (80.08%). CONCLUSIONS: Under the current screening framework, a higher screening benefit was observed in high-risk areas than in other regions. To promote EC screening and reduce the current inequality of screening in China, more focus should be given to optimizing strategies of high-risk individual assessment and surveillance management to improve compliance with endoscopic examination. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022375720; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=375720.

Stomach cancer burden in China: Epidemiology and prevention.

In 2020, stomach cancer was the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Due to the relatively huge population base and the poor survival rate, stomach cancer is still a threat in China, and accounts for nearly half of the cases worldwide. Fortunately, in China, the incidence and mortality rates of stomach cancer presented a declining trend owing to the change of individual life styles and the persistent efforts to prevent stomach cancer from the governments at all levels. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, poor eating habits, smoking, history of gastrointestinal disorders, and family history of stomach cancer are the main risk factors for stomach cancer in China. As a result, by taking risk factors for stomach cancer into account, specific preventive measures, such as eradicating H. pylori and implementing stomach cancer screening projects, should be taken to better prevent and decrease the burden of stomach cancer.

Global trajectories of liver cancer burden from 1990 to 2019 and projection to 2035.

BACKGROUND: Large disparities exist in liver cancer burden trends across countries but are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the global trajectories of liver cancer burden, explore the driving forces, and predict future trends. METHODS: Data on the liver cancer burden in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) trajectories were defined using growth mixture models. Five major risk factors contributing to changes in the ASIR or ASMR and socioeconomic determinants were explored using the identified trajectories. A Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to predict future trends through 2035. RESULTS: Three trajectories of liver cancer burden were identified: increasing, stable, and decreasing groups. Almost half of the American countries were classified in the decreasing group (48.6% for ASIR and ASMR), and the increasing group was the most common in the European region (ASIR, 49.1%; ASMR, 37.7%). In the decreasing group, the decrease of liver cancer due to hepatitis B contributed 63.4% and 60.4% of the total decreases in ASIR and ASMR, respectively. The increase of liver cancer due to alcohol use, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B contributed the most to the increase in the increasing group (30.8%, 31.1%, and 24.2% for ASIR; 33.7%, 30.2%, and 22.2% for ASMR, respectively). The increasing group was associated with a higher sociodemographic index, gross domestic product per capita, health expenditure per capita, and universal health coverage (all P <0.05). Significant variations in disease burden are predicted to continue through 2035, with a disproportionate burden in the decreasing group. CONCLUSION: Global disparities were observed in liver cancer burden trajectories. Hepatitis B, alcohol use, and hepatitis C were identified as driving forces in different regions.

Efficacy of ctDNA methylation combined with traditional detection modality to detect liver cancer among high-risk patients: A multicenter diagnostic trial.

Objective: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) plus ultrasound (US) have been considered to have high diagnostic accuracy for cancer detection, however, the efficacy of ctDNA methylation combined with the traditional detection modality of liver cancer has not been tested in a Chinese independent cohort. Methods: The high-risk individuals aged between 35 and 70 years who were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis or had moderate and severe fatty liver were eligible for inclusion. All participants were invited to receive a traditional examination [referring to AFP plus US], and ctDNA methylation, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of different diagnostic tools were calculated. The logistic regression model was applied to estimate the area under the curve (AUC), which was further validated by 10-fold internal cross-validation. Results: A total of 1,205 individuals were recruited in our study, and 39 participants were diagnosed with liver cancer. The sensitivity of AFP, US, US plus AFP, and the combination of US, AFP, and ctDNA methylation was 33.33%, 56.41%, 66.67%, and 87.18%, respectively. The corresponding specificity of AFP, US, US plus AFP, and the combination of all modalities was 98.20%, 99.31%, 97.68%, and 97.68%, respectively. The AUCs of AFP, US, US plus AFP, and the combination of AFP, US, and ctDNA methylation were 65.77%, 77.86%, 82.18%, and 92.43%, respectively. The internally validated AUCs of AFP, US, US plus AFP, and the combination of AFP, US, and ctDNA methylation were 67.57%, 83.26%, 86.54%, and 93.35%, respectively. Conclusions: The ctDNA methylation is a good complementary to AFP and US for the detection of liver cancer.

Geographic, Demographic, and Socioeconomic Disparities and Factors Associated With Cancer Literacy in China: National Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer literacy is associated with several health-related behaviors and outcomes. However, there is still a lack of nationwide surveys for cancer literacy in China. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate cancer literacy in China, explore disparities, and provide scientific evidence for policy makers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in mainland China in 2021 using the multistage probability proportional to the size sampling method. Both the reliability and validity of the questionnaire were evaluated. The awareness levels were adjusted by sampling weights and nonrepresentativeness weights to match the actual population distributions. The Rao-Scott adjusted chi-square test was applied to test geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic disparities. A generalized linear model was used to explore potential factors. RESULTS: A total of 80,281 participants aged 15-74 years were finally enrolled from 21 provinces, with an overall response rate of 89.32%. The national rate of cancer literacy was 70.05% (95% CI 69.52%-70.58%). The rates were highest regarding knowledge of cancer management (74.96%, 95% CI 74.36%-75.56%) but were lowest regarding basic knowledge of cancer (66.77%, 95% CI 66.22%-67.33%). Cancer literacy was highest in East China (72.65%, 95% CI 71.82%-73.49%), Central China (71.73%, 95% CI 70.65%-72.81%), and North China (70.73%, 95% CI 68.68%-72.78%), followed by Northeast (65.38%, 95% CI 64.54%-66.22%) and South China (63.21%, 95% CI 61.84%-64.58%), whereas Southwest (59.00%, 95% CI 58.11%-59.89%) and Northwest China (57.09%, 95% CI 55.79%-58.38%) showed a need for improvement. Demographic and socioeconomic disparities were also observed. Urban dwellers, the Han ethnic group, and population with higher education level or household income were associated with prior knowledge. The questionnaire showed generally good internal and external reliability and validity. CONCLUSIONS: It remains important for China to regularly monitor levels of cancer literacy, narrow disparities, and strengthen health education for dimensions with poor performance and for individuals with limited knowledge to move closer to the goal of Healthy China 2030.

Real-World Practice of Gastric Cancer Prevention and Screening Calls for Practical Prediction Models.

INTRODUCTION: Some gastric cancer prediction models have been published. Still, the value of these models for application in real-world practice remains unclear. We aim to summarize and appraise modeling studies for gastric cancer risk prediction and identify potential barriers to real-world use. METHODS: This systematic review included studies that developed or validated gastric cancer prediction models in the general population. RESULTS: A total of 4,223 studies were screened. We included 18 development studies for diagnostic models, 10 for prognostic models, and 1 external validation study. Diagnostic models commonly included biomarkers, such as Helicobacter pylori infection indicator, pepsinogen, hormone, and microRNA. Age, sex, smoking, body mass index, and family history of gastric cancer were frequently used in prognostic models. Most of the models were not validated. Only 25% of models evaluated the calibration. All studies had a high risk of bias, but over half had acceptable applicability. Besides, most studies failed to clearly report the application scenarios of prediction models. DISCUSSION: Most gastric cancer prediction models showed common shortcomings in methods, validation, and reports. Model developers should further minimize the risk of bias, improve models' applicability, and report targeting application scenarios to promote real-world use.

Endoscopic Surveillance for Premalignant Esophageal Lesions: A Community-Based Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mild and moderate dysplasia are major premalignant lesions of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, evidence of the progression risk in patients with these conditions is extremely limited. We aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors for advanced neoplasia in patients with mild-moderate dysplasia. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included patients with mild-moderate dysplasia from 9 regions in rural China. These patients were identified from a community-based ESCC screening program conducted between 2010 and 2016 and were offered endoscopic surveillance until December 2021. We estimated the incidence of advanced esophageal neoplasia, including severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, or ESCC, and identified potential risk factors using the Cox regression model. RESULTS: The 1183 patients with mild-moderate dysplasia were followed up over a period of 6.95 years. During follow-up evaluation, 88 patients progressed to advanced neoplasia (7.44%), with an incidence rate of 10.44 per 1000 person-years. The median interval from the progression of mild-moderate dysplasia to advanced neoplasia was 2.39 years (interquartile range, 1.58-4.32 y). A total of 74.47% of patients with mild-moderate dysplasia experienced regression to nondysplasia, and 18.09% showed no lesion progression. Patients with mild-moderate dysplasia who had a family history of esophageal cancer and were age 55 years and older showed 97% higher advanced neoplasia yields than all patients with mild-moderate dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: In a country with a high incidence of ESCC, patients with mild-moderate dysplasia showed an overall risk of advanced neoplasia progression of 1.04% per year. Patients with mild-moderate dysplasia would be recommended for endoscopic surveillance during the first 2 to 3 years.

Lung cancer burden and trends from 2000 to 2018 in China: Comparison between China and the United States.

Objective: This study aims to provide an analysis of the current status and trends of lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in China, comparing trends with those in the United States (U.S.). Methods: Data on lung cancer incidence and mortality rates spanning 2000 to 2018 were extracted from the China Cancer Registry Annual Report and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database for China and the U.S., respectively. Crude incidence and mortality rates were calculated by sex and age, with age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) and mortality rates (ASMR) calculated using the Segi-Doll world standard population. Trend analyses employed Joinpoint regression models to determine average annual percentage change (AAPC). The study also assessed the proportion of new cases and deaths by sex and age. Results: In 2018, the ASIR of lung cancer for males in China was 50.72 per 100,000 and the ASMR was 39.69 per 100,000, the ASIR for females was 26.25 per 100,000 and the ASMR was 15.24 per 100,000. Both ASIR and ASMR were higher in males and the highest in the population aged 65 years and older, with the lowest among those aged 20-49 years. In China, female ASIR demonstrated an increasing trend (AAPC: 1.16%), while ASMR decreased in both sexes (AAPCs: -0.48% for males, -1.00% for females). The U.S. exhibited decreasing trends in both ASIR and ASMR across sexes and age groups. Conclusions: The study identified an increasing trend in lung cancer incidence among females and a decreasing mortality trend in both sexes in China. These trends are likely linked to factors such as smoking prevalence, advancements in cancer screening, and improved medical care. The findings underscore the need for tailored lung cancer prevention measures in China, particularly the reinforcement of anti-smoking policies.

Long-term Incidence Rates of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Chinese Patients With Low-grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Association of Surveillance Endoscopy With Incidence.

Importance: Surveillance endoscopy is recommended for patients with low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN); high-quality evidence about the use of surveillance endoscopy and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) incidence in patients with LGIN is important but limited. Objective: To estimate long-term ESCC incidence rates in patients with LGIN and the association between surveillance endoscopy and ESCC incidence. Design, Setting, and Participants: This community-based, multicenter, prospective cohort study in 9 regions in rural China included patients with LGIN diagnosed by endoscopic screening between July 1, 2007, and December 31, 2016; all participants were followed up until December 31, 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was ESCC incidence. The ESCC standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was estimated using sex- and age-specific incidence in the general population of rural China in 2010 and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 3258 patients with LGIN were included; 1772 (54.39%) were men, with a mean (SD) age of 58.21 (6.97) years. Among them, 1378 patients (42.30%) underwent at least 1 surveillance endoscopy (surveillance group) and 1880 (57.70%) did not undergo any surveillance endoscopy (nonsurveillance group). During the follow-up period (median, 7.96 years; IQR, 6.08-10.54 years), 170 ESCC cases were diagnosed, with a cumulative incidence of 6.28 per 1000 person-years. A higher incidence of ESCC (incidence rate, 7.07 per 1000 person-years) was observed in the nonsurveillance group than in the surveillance group (incidence rate, 5.14 per 1000 person-years). Patients with LGIN in the surveillance group had a lower SIR (SIR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.13-10.34) than those in the nonsurveillance group (SIR, 5.65; 95% CI, 2.00-12.58); however, patients with LGIN in both groups had a higher risk of ESCC than the general population. Patients in the surveillance group had a 31% decreased risk of ESCC incidence (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.95) compared with those in the nonsurveillance group, after adjusting for baseline risk factors. Conclusions and Relevance: In this prospective cohort study, patients with LGIN had a higher risk of developing ESCC than the general population, and endoscopic surveillance was associated with a decrease in ESCC incidence in these patients.

Colorectal cancer burden, trends and risk factors in China: A review and comparison with the United States.

Objective: China and the United States (the U.S.) have the heaviest colorectal cancer (CRC) burden with considerable variations in temporal trends. This study aims to analyze the temporal patterns of CRC burden and its risk factors in China and the U.S. across the past three decades. Methods: Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study in 2019, including cases, deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), age-standardized rate (ASR), and summary exposure value (SEV) of CRC in China and the U.S. between 1990 and 2019. Annual average percentage changes (AAPCs) of CRC burden were calculated using the Joinpoint regression model. The mortality in CRC attributable to potential risk factors was characterized by countries, gender, and age groups. Results: In 2019, there were 607,900 and 227,241 CRC cases, and 261,777 and 84,026 CRC deaths in China and the U.S., respectively. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was 30.55 per 100,000 in China and 41.86 per 100,000 in the U.S., and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) was 13.86 per 100,000 in China and 14.77 per 100,000 in the U.S. CRC incidence, mortality, and DALY rate in the U.S. showed downward trends in the past three decades (AAPC=-0.47, -1.06, and -0.88, respectively), while upward trends were observed in China (AAPC=3.11, 1.05, and 0.91, respectively). Among the cause of CRC, the leading risk factor contributing to CRC death was low milk in China and smoking in the U.S., respectively. Conclusions: From 1990 to 2019, the burden of CRC in China increased dramatically, particularly for males and middle-aged and elderly people. The management of the major risk factors associated with the high burden of CRC should be enhanced.

Survival of 7,311 lung cancer patients by pathological stage and histological classification: a multicenter hospital-based study in China.

Background: Representative prognostic data by clinical characteristics for lung cancer is not yet available in China. This study aimed to calculate the survival of lung cancer patients with different pathological evaluations, explore their predictive effects and provide information for prognosis improvement. Methods: In this multicenter cohort study, primary lung cancer patients diagnosed in 17 hospitals at three distinct levels in China between 2011-2013 were enrolled and followed up till 2020. Overall survival and lung cancer specific survival were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards model was applied to assess the effects of predictors of lung cancer survival. Results: Of all the 7,311 patients, the 5-year overall and lung cancer specific survival rates were 37.0% and 41.6%, respectively. For lung cancer patients at stages I, II, III, and IV, the 5-year overall survival rates were 76.9%, 56.1%, 32.6%, and 21.4%, respectively; the lung cancer specific survival rates were 82.3%, 59.7%, 37.2%, and 26.4%, respectively. Differences of survival for each stage remained significant between histological classifications (P<0.01). The 5-year overall survival rates for patients with squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma (AC), and small cell carcinoma were 36.9%, 43.3% and 27.9%, respectively; the corresponding disease-specific rates were 41.5%, 48.6% and 31.0%, respectively. Such differences were non-statistically significant at advanced stages (P=0.09). After multivariate adjustments, stage and classification remained independent predictors for the survival of lung cancer. Conclusions: The prognosis of lung cancer varied with the pathological stages and histological classifications, and had room for improvement. Stage was the strongest predictor, so efforts on early detection and treatment are needed.

Assessment of the compliance, influencing factors, and yielding results of liver cancer screening in a high-risk population: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The participation and results for liver cancer screening are rarely reported. The aim of this study was to determine the participation rates and factors affecting participation rates as well as to report the detection rate for liver cancer in an organized screening program. METHODS: The organized screening program for liver cancer was conducted in 12 rural sites. The risk of developing liver cancer was initially evaluated for each participant. High-risk individuals were offered α-fetoprotein measurement and ultrasonography examination. Potential risk factors associated with the participation rate were screened by fitted generalized linear mixed logistic regression models through reporting odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs. RESULTS: A total of 358,662 eligible participants completed the basic surveys, and 54,745 were evaluated to be at high risk of liver cancer. Of these high-risk individuals, 40,543 accepted the screening services. Determinants of participation for screening behavior included older age, being female, being positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, having a family history of liver cancer, chronic depression, and low income. The detection rate for liver cancer was estimated to be 0.41% (95% CI, 0.35-0.48). CONCLUSIONS: This study reported several significant factors associated with the screening behaviors for liver cancer. LAY SUMMARY: Participation rate and results for liver cancer screening in rural areas are rarely reported. The determinants associated with adherence rates and early detection rate of liver cancer in an organized screening program for liver cancer were assessed. A possible positive correlation between the participation rates and the early detection rate was observed among attendees of screening. These new finds could be beneficial to increasing the participation rate of screening.