Incidence of hematologic cancer types in Japan by ICD-O-3 code: analysis of National Cancer Registry

<b>Aim:</b> We classified subtypes of hematologic cancer in Japan’s National Cancer Registry (NCR) in 2016 by ICD-O-3 code and compared numbers with the Japanese Society of Hematology’s Blood Diseases Registry (BDR). <b>Materials &amp; methods:</b> We reviewed data for individual cases, and calculated incidence per 100,000. <b>Results:</b> NCR reported 67,919 cases of hematological cancer, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) (11.07 per 100,000), plasma cell myeloma (5.26/100,000), myelodysplastic syndrome, NOS (3.92/100,000), malignant lymphoma, NOS (3.03/100,000), marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, NOS (2.52/100,000) and follicular lymphoma, grade 1 (1.43/100,000). Around 48% of NCR cancers were also reported in the Blood Diseases Registry. <b>Conclusion:</b> ICD-O-3 codes revealed 12,365 additional cases to the 55,554 reported publicly. Accurately updated data are necessary for medical resource planning. Japan’s National Cancer Registry started in 2016, when 157 hematologic cancer subtypes and 67,919 cases (males: 37,916; females: 30,003) were reported, giving a cancer case incidence of 53.51 per 100,000. The most common hematologic cancers were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, NOS (11.07 per 100,000), plasma cell myeloma (5.26 per 100,000) and myelodysplastic syndrome, NOS (3.92 per 100,000). Incidence data under ICD-O-3 by age and sex revealed different patterns among subtypes, allowing more accurate estimation of future patient numbers. This in turn allows grouping of indications to suit clinical needs, and aids pharmaceutical companies in understanding patient populations for new drugs. Total incidence of the 157 hematologic cancers recorded in 2016 was 67,919 cases (males: 37,916; females: 30,003), or 53.51 per 100,000 inhabitants. Incidence data under ICD-O-3 by age and sex revealed different patterns among subtypes of hematologic tumors, and allow more accurate estimation of the number of future patients. Comparing the National Cancer Registry to other registry data, such as the Blood Disease Registry of the Japan Society of Hematology, may facilitate linkage of data sets and enable a better understanding of treatments and outcomes. More detailed pathological review of NOS cases may provide more accurate diagnosis and consequent allocation to other specific subtypes, in turn increasing the reported incidence of these tumors. While treatment choices for cancer can differ greatly depending on subtype, age and sex of the patient can also be major factors in treatment choice. Knowing the age and sex composition of cancer patients is critical to predicting numbers in the longer term. Understanding the incidence of hematologic cancers by ICD-O-3 code provides the maximum level of detail, and allows grouping of indications to suit clinical needs, in turn aiding pharmaceutical companies in understanding patient populations for new drugs. The National Cancer Registry data on individual patients was first initiated and opened to public use in 2016. Allowing that incidence may overestimated due to 2016 being the first year of operation, our present study serves as an example of the use of these data. Similar studies in other cancer types are warranted.