China's liver cancer cases to hit 264,000 by 2034

It will account for roughly 71% of the projected 8MM incident cases.

China will carry the heaviest burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) amongst the world's eight major markets (8MM) by 2034, reaching 264,000 diagnosed incident cases that year.

According to GlobalData, this distribution is similar for five-year diagnosed prevalent cases of HCC, where China will also have the highest number, with 702,000 cases.

The report noted that China alone will account for roughly 71% of projected 8MM incident cases and about 77% of five-year prevalent cases by 2034.

Across the 8MM, cases are projected to grow at an annual growth rate of 2.06%, rising from over 306,000 in 2024 to approximately 370,000 by 2034.

Five-year diagnosed prevalent cases are projected to climb at an annual growth rate of 2.13%, from 750,000 in 2024 to more than 910,000 by 2034.

GlobalData attributed the slowing decline in HCC incidence to falling hepatitis B rates from mass vaccination and falling hepatitis C rates following the introduction of antiviral agents.

The recent plateau, GlobalData said, may instead reflect rising global obesity rates and shifting alcohol consumption patterns.

Regardless of cause, the report said that HCC case numbers are on an upward trajectory across the markets studied.

*8MM: The US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, and China.