Liver cancer incidence in Saudi Arabia (2001–2020): decreasing trend

Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality and morbidity worldwide. Existing data on the liver cancer burden in Saudi Arabia are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze liver cancer incidence and mortality trends in Saudi Arabia over two decades (2001-2020) and to compare them with the regional and worldwide data. Liver cancer incidence data in Saudi Arabia were collected from the national cancer registry reports for the study period (2001 to 2020). Additionally, global and regional data on liver cancer burden were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO); the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); and the Global Cancer Observatory website. Saudi Arabia revealed a relatively lower burden of liver cancer compared to global rates. Males showed a decreasing trend in age-standardized incidence rates during the study period, while females displayed steady rates. In 2020, liver cancer incidence in males was nearly doubled compared to females with a male-to-female ratio of 1.8:1. Additionally, significant regional variations in the incidence of liver cancer were observed across the administrative regions in Saudi Arabia. Liver cancer ranked first as a cause of cancer death in Saudi Arabia for the year 2020. This trend extends to the broader Gulf Cooperation Council region that includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates; with Saudi Arabia experiencing the highest liver cancer mortality rate (5.1 per 100,000 people). In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of gender- and region-specific analysis of liver cancer in Saudi Arabia. While the decline of liver cancer incidence in males is promising, further investigations are needed to understand the underlying causes and maintain observance. The high national mortality rate from liver cancer underscores the need for improved prevention, early detection, and management strategies.