Thyroid cancer in Asia: incidence, mortality in 2022, and future projections to 2050

Thyroid cancer incidence has increased globally, with Asia bearing a major burden because of its large population and socioeconomic diversity. This study analyzed age-standardized incidence and mortality rates in Asia in 2022 and projected trends to 2050. This ecological, population-level study analyzed thyroid cancer data from 47 Asian countries using secondary data from the GLOBOCAN 2022. Spearman’s correlation examined its association with the Human Development Index, while 2050 projections were derived from demographic trends. In 2022, Asia accounted for 72.7% of global thyroid cancer cases and 61.3% of related deaths, with 596.6 thousand new cases and 29.1 thousand deaths, including 50% of incidence and 25% of mortality in younger individuals. The age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were 10.7/100 000 and 0.5/100 000, respectively. Incidence rates rose faster in younger and male individuals. A significant correlation was found between the Human Development Index and cancer rates. South Korea had the highest incidence rate (7.6 per 100 000 males; 39.5 per 100 000 females), while the United Arab Emirates had the highest mortality rate (0.9/100 000 males and 13.9/100 000 females). In contrast, China had the largest absolute numbers of new cases and deaths, with 124.9 thousand new cases and 4.3 thousand deaths in males, and 341.2 thousand new cases and 7.2 thousand deaths in females. By 2050, 747.6 thousand new cases and 58.6 thousand deaths are expected in Asia. Targeted public health strategies addressing socioeconomic disparities, gender-specific risks, and emerging environmental factors may help reduce overdiagnosis and preventable deaths.