Suparan, Kanokphong

Abstract Background Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer remains a major global health challenge. This study provides updated 2022 estimates of GI cancer incidence and mortality worldwide, along with projections of incident cases and deaths through 2050 to inform cancer control strategies. Methods In this population‐based study, data from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database were used to examine incidence and deaths associated with GI cancer. By using global demographic projections, this study estimated the projected number of incident cases and deaths until the year 2050. Results By 2050, the global burden of GI cancer is projected to reach 9.06 million incident cases (+85%) and 6.42 million deaths (+93%) from 2022. Increases in incidence are projected for both females (+87%) and males (+83%), as are increases in mortality for both females (+97%) and males (+91%). Whereas the Western Pacific region will have the highest absolute burden, with 3.88 million new cases and 2.79 million deaths, the greatest relative increase is expected in Africa, with incidence and deaths rising by 157% and 160%, respectively. As measured by the Human Development Index (HDI), the steepest increases are projected in low (+151% incidence; +152% deaths) and medium (+112% incidence; +114% deaths) HDI countries. Overall, all GI cancer types are projected to increase, led by pancreatic cancer in incidence (+95%) and colorectal cancer in deaths (+103%). Conclusions GI cancer incidence and deaths are expected to nearly double by 2050, with increases across sexes, cancer types, and regions, especially in lower HDI countries.

ABSTRACTBackgroundMetabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects over one third of the global population and is closely linked to gastrointestinal, oncological, and cardiovascular diseases. As the most common cause of steatotic liver disease (SLD), MASLD is often referred to as “fatty liver” in general health information searches. With the Internet becoming a primary source of healthcare information, this study aimed to evaluate global and regional public interest in steatotic liver disease using Google Trends data from January 2004 to December 2024.MethodsA comprehensive analysis was performed using Google Trends with the search term “fatty liver disease.” Interest levels were quantified using Google Trends indices, and temporal patterns were evaluated using average annual percent change (AAPC). Regional variations were assessed to identify geographic hotspots of public interest.ResultsGlobal interest in MASLD demonstrated significant growth (AAPC: 6.77%, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 5.33–8.23), with a 264% increase from 2004 to 2024. Peak interest was observed in August 2024 (index: 100) compared to the lowest point in June 2007. Iran showed the highest country‐specific search volume (index: 100), while within the United States, West Virginia demonstrated the greatest relative interest (index: 100). Key topics associated with MASLD included “liver,” “symptoms,” “disease,” and “therapy.”ConclusionsSubstantial growth in global public interest in MASLD, with distinct temporal and geographical patterns, provides insights to develop targeted awareness campaigns and educational interventions, particularly in regions with low search volumes. Future research should examine the relationship between online search patterns and clinical outcomes in MASLD.

Background Gastrointestinal cancers comprise nearly one-third of global mortality from cancer, yet the comprehensive global burden of these cancers remains uninvestigated. Objective We aimed to assess the global, regional and national burden of gastrointestinal cancers. Designs Data on oesophagus, gastric, colorectal, liver, pancreas and biliary tract cancers were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database. Age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardised death rate (ASDR) were calculated by sex, region and Sociodemographic Index (SDI). Results In 2021, there were 5.26 million incidences and 3.70 million deaths from gastrointestinal cancer. The greatest burden is from colorectal, followed by gastric, oesophageal, pancreatic, liver and biliary tract cancer. We noted geographical and socioeconomic differences in ASIR and ASDR across all types of cancers. From 2000 to 2021, ASIR increased for colorectal cancer (annual percent change (APC): 0.10%, 95% CI 0.05% to 0.14%), pancreatic cancer (APC: 0.27%, 95% CI 0.14% to 0.41%), and liver cancer from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (APC: 0.62%, 95% CI 0.58% to 0.67%) and alcohol-related liver disease (APC: 0.26%, 95% CI 0.22% to 0.30%). ASDR increased for pancreatic cancer (APC: 0.18%, 95% CI 0.02% to 0.34%). Higher SDI countries had higher incidence rates for most types of gastrointestinal cancer. Conclusions Although the ASIR of oesophageal, gastric and biliary tract cancer has decreased, the ASIR still increased in colorectal, pancreatic and liver cancer from steatotic liver disease. Public policies are important for controlling gastrointestinal cancers—most importantly, reducing alcohol consumption, hepatitis B immunisation and tackling the burden of metabolic diseases.

AbstractBackground and AimIn recent years, there has been a growing incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in young individuals. Despite its significant morbidity and mortality, research on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer in young populations has been relatively limited. Therefore, studies on the epidemiological changes of this cancer are needed.MethodsUsing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we examined the incidence, death, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) from UGI cancers in the young, namely, early‐onset esophageal cancer (EOEC) and early‐onset gastric cancer (EOGC). These results were stratified by sex, geographical region, country, and sociodemographic index.ResultsThere was a total of 185 140 cases, 120 289 deaths, and 5.70 million DALYs attributable to early‐onset UGI cancers globally. From 2010 to 2019, the global incidence, death, and DALYs rates of early‐onset UGI cancers decreased. In contrast, the incidence rates increased in both EOEC (+1.15%) and EOGC (+0.21%) in the Eastern Mediterranean region.ConclusionsOver the past decade, the burden of UGI cancer in the young has decreased. However, it has increased in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Further research to elucidate the attributable risk factors in this population is warranted.