Global Trends in the Incidence, Mortality, and Risk-attributable Deaths for Prostate, Bladder, and Kidney Cancers: A Systematic Analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Objective: Bladder cancer (BCa), kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma [RCC]), and prostate cancer (PCa) altogether contribute remarkably to global cancer morbidity and mortality. However, comprehensive global assessments of their incidence and mortality trends are lacking. This study aimed to assess the global, regional, and national burden of the urological cancers using the most updated data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study.

Methods: Data on these urological cancers were extracted from the GBD 2021 database. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardized death rates (ASDRs) were calculated by sex, region, and sociodemographic index (SDI). In 2021, there were 2.25 million new cases and 815 546 deaths from urological cancers globally. PCa had the highest incidence and mortality burden, followed by BCa and RCC. From 2000 to 2021, ASIR increased for RCC (average annual percent change [AAPC]: 0.15%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.23%), while it declined for BCa (AAPC: -0.48%, 95% CI -0.54% to -0.43%) and PCa (AAPC: -0.12%, 95% CI -0.24% to -0.01%). ASDRs decreased for all three cancers, with BCa showing the largest reduction (AAPC: -1.02%, 95% CI -1.08 to -0.97%). The incidences were higher in high- to middle-SDI regions. Smoking and a high body mass index were the leading causes of risk-attributable deaths of urological cancers.

Conclusions: The GBD 2021 study revealed that the incidences and mortality burden of these urological cancers remained significant. Public health strategies targeting early detection and modifiable risk factors are crucial to further reduce the evolving burden of these cancers.