Global, regional, and national burden of retinoblastoma in infants and young children: findings from the global burden of disease study 1990-2021.

Background: Retinoblastoma is considered a lethal but curable malignancy often presenting in childhood. We investigated its global, regional, and national burden among infants and young children from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: We obtained data on retinoblastoma incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021. Trends were analysed using joinpoint regression to calculate annual percentage changes. Spearman's rank correlation and locally estimated scatterplot smoothing regression were used to assess the relationship between retinoblastoma burden and sociodemographic index.

Findings: In 2021, the global incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs of retinoblastoma were 0.82 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 0.48-1.10), 7.46 (95% UI, 4.42-10.08), 0.37 (95% UI, 0.22-0.51), and 32.81 (95% UI, 19.9-45.21), respectively. From 1990 to 2021, the global incidence and prevalence rates of retinoblastoma increased, with average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-0.85] and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.50-0.86), respectively. Conversely, those of related mortality and DALYs decreased, with AAPCs of -0.64 (95% CI, -0.79 to -0.49) and -0.63 (95% CI, -0.78 to -0.48), respectively. Children aged 2-4 years and those in low-income regions exhibited the highest burden. Negative correlations were found between sociodemographic index and retinoblastoma burden.

Interpretation: Advancements in retinoblastoma detection and treatment have increased its reported incidence and prevalence while reducing its mortality and DALYs. Nonetheless, substantial socioeconomic and geographic disparities persist. In low-income countries, the incidence has decreased, possibly reflecting challenges such as limited healthcare access and underreporting, necessitating targeted interventions and improved healthcare access.

Funding: National Key R&D Project of China (2020YFA0112701), Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2024A1515013058), and Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, China (202206080005).