Pancreatic cancer in China: the analysis of cancer mortality and burden in China, 2008-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the baseline characteristics and changing trends of pancreatic cancer mortality and disease burden, we statistically analyze the mortality data among Chinese residents from 2008 to 2021. METHODS: Pancreatic cancer mortality data were selected from China Cause of Death Surveillance Dataset. We calculated Crude Mortality Rate (CMR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), potential years of life lost (PYLL), and PYLL rate (PYLLR) stratified by sex, age, urban/rural residence, and region (eastern/central/western China). The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was used to quantify trends in ASMR and PYLLR. Chi-square tests (R4.4.3) assessed mortality differences across subgroups, while an age-period-cohort (APC) model analyzed the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on mortality trends. RESULTS: The ASMR of pancreatic cancer in China increased from 3.67/100,000 in 2008 to 4.45/100,000 in 2021 (AAPC = 1.09%), while PYLLR rose from 0.23% to 0.35% (AAPC = 3.13%). Subgroup disparities: Both ASMR and PYLLR were higher in males than females, urban than rural areas, and eastern > central > western regions. Burden acceleration: The fastest increases occurred in males (vs. females), rural (vs. urban), and western > central > eastern regions. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic cancer mortality and disease burden in China show a sustained upward trend, disproportionately affecting older adults, males, urban residents, and eastern populations. Rapid escalation in males, rural areas, and western regions underscores the need for targeted interventions.