Global Burden of Respiratory Tract Cancers From 1990 to 2021: Systematic Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

ABSTRACT Background Respiratory tract cancers account for a large proportion of new cancers and cause a major global health burden. Objective This study aimed to analyze global and regional trends in the incidence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) of these cancers from 1990 to 2021 and to project future burden to 2040. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, assessing incidence, mortality, and DALYs globally and across 5 Socio‐demographic Index (SDI) regions, including risk factor attribution and health inequality trends. Findings In 2021, there were 2.60 million new cases globally. Between 1990 and 2021, incident cases, deaths, and DALYs increased by 95.01%, 60.48%, and 56.68%, respectively, while age‐standardized rates declined (estimated annual percentage change: −2.39%, −4.37%, −4.98%). By 2040, 2.45 million new cases are projected (67.11% male), with corresponding rates of 53.51, 46.90, and 1001.79 per 100 000. The highest age‐standardized burden was observed in high and high‐middle SDI regions. Smoking was the leading specific risk factor for deaths and DALYs , particularly for tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer ( TBLC ) and laryngeal cancer ( LC ). Health inequalities increased from 1990 to 2021, especially for TBLC , with the slope inequality index for age‐standardized incidence rate, DALYs rate, and mortality rate rising from 36.54, 878.54, and 34.92 to 51.38, 953.63, and 44.52, respectively. Conclusion The absolute burden of respiratory tract cancers continues to rise despite declining rates, with significant inequalities. Enhanced, context‐specific prevention and control strategies are urgently needed.