OBJECTIVETo analyze the incidence and survival rates of primary liver cancer (PLC) among residents in Yangpu district of Shanghai.

METHODSA total of 9 730 736 permanent residents (male 4 996 390 and female 4 734 346) of Yangpu district in Shanghai were recruited in the study between year 2002 and 2010; among whom 2726 PLC cases were diagnosed and 2427 death cases were certified. The incidence and mortality of PLC were calculated under the analysis of the new PLC cases and death cases between year 2002 and 2010. The rates were standardized by the demographic composition developed in the Fifth Nationwide Census in year 2000, in order to analyze the survival condition of PLC patients and explore the prognosis of surgical excision treatment.

RESULTSAmong the new PLC cases between year 2002 and 2010, 1966 cases were male, whose average age of onset was 59.81; while 760 cases were female, whose average age of onset was 68.93. The crude incidence rate was 39.35/100 000 in male, which was higher than it in female, as 16.05/100 000. The difference showed statistical significance (U = 7.32, P < 0.01). The standardized incidence rates were 21.98/100 000 and 6.96/100 000 in male and female, respectively. The difference showed statistical significance (U = 221.76, P < 0.01). There were 2427 PLC death cases in total, including 1734 male death cases and 693 female death cases. The crude mortality rate was 34.71/100 000 in male and 14.64/100 000 in female, whose difference were statistically significant (U = 6.68, P < 0.01). The standardized mortality rate was 19.16/100 000 in male and 6.06/100 000 in female, whose difference were statistically significant (U = 207.18, P < 0.01). The incidence and mortality rates both increased apparently since males aging over 35 and females over 45. The 1 - 5 year survival rates of PLC patients were 33.95%, 23.11%, 17.04%, 14.42% and 12.29%, respectively. In the surgical excision treatment group (321 cases), the 1 - 5 year survival rates were separately 66.78%, 52.87%, 41.88%, 33.57% and 32.64%; while in the non-surgical treatment group (2405 cases), the 1 - 5 year survival rates were separately 29.04%, 18.58%, 13.30%, 11.16% and 9.01%. The differences in 1 - 5 year survival rates between surgical and non-surgical groups all showed statistical significance (U = 12.78, 10.52, 8.28, 5.56 and 5.12, respectively, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of PLC was close to its mortality in Yangpu district of Shanghai. The male incidence and mortality rates were significantly higher than female corresponding rates. The surgical excision treatment could improve the prognosis of PLC.