Disease burden of hematological malignancies worldwide, in China and in the United States based on the GLOBOCAN 2022 and Global Burden of Disease 2021 data.

[BACKGROUND] Hematological malignancies are a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by disruptions in normal hematopoietic function. This study aimed to evaluate the global burden of hematological malignancies, including Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), multiple myeloma (MM), and leukemia, with a focus on comparing China and the United States (US).

[METHODS] Data from the GLOBOCAN 2022 and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 were used to estimate the incidence and mortality of hematological malignancies. This study analyzed the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) to compare trends over time, and risk factors were also assessed.

[RESULTS] In 2022, there were 1,311,104 new cases and 700,205 deaths from hematological malignancies worldwide. Among them, there were 197,438 new cases and 110,367 deaths in China, whereas in the US, there were 181,894 new cases and 58,283 deaths. NHL was the most common type of hematological malignancy, followed by leukemia, MM, and HL globally. Males had higher incidence and mortality rates than females. Compared with China, the US had higher ASIR (30.65 vs . 9.51 per 100,000) and ASMR (7.33 vs . 4.73 per 100,000) in 2022. Additionally, the ASIR and ASMR were higher in very high human development index (HDI) countries than in low HDI countries. The incidence of NHL and MM has increased over time, whereas the incidence of HL and leukemia has decreased worldwide. The ASMRs for all types of hematological malignancies, except for MM, have been declining. Furthermore, we identified risk factors contributing to hematological malignancy disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and deaths, including smoking, high body mass index, and occupational exposure to benzene or formaldehyde. The predicted number of new cases of and deaths from hematological malignancies gradually increased from 2022 to 2050.

[CONCLUSIONS] This study highlights the serious burden of hematological malignancies worldwide, in China, and in the US, emphasizing the urgency for effective prevention and treatment strategies.