Pandemic-Related Changes in Incidence and Mortality Rates of Gastrointestinal Cancers During 2020

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 disrupted cancer-related care in early 2020.

Methods: We used population-based cancer registry data to estimate incidence and mortality rates of gastrointestinal cancers between 2016 and 2020.

Results: Incidence rates were unchanged from 2016 to 2019 but decreased in 2020, with the largest declines for colorectal cancer (rate ratio [RR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-0.90) and hepatocellular carcinoma (RR 0.85; 95% CI 0.82-0.88). Mortality rates of colorectal cancer (RR 1.06; 95% CI 1.04-1.08) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (RR 1.06; 95% CI 1.00-1.13) increased in 2020.

Discussion: Incidence and mortality rates of gastrointestinal cancers may increase in the future given pandemic-related delays in 2020.