Overview of endocrine malignancies in Jordan: Insights from the MENA region.

Abstract

e22583 Background: Endocrine cancers, particularly thyroid malignancies, are increasing globally, with variations across regions. In the MENA region, there is a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data on endocrine cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the trends in age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) of endocrine malignancies in Jordan. Methods: This population-based study analyzed data from the Jordan Cancer Registry from 2004 to 2018. Age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs) were calculated per 100,000 person-years using the World Standard Population. Linear regression was applied to assess trends in AAIRs over time. Results were stratified by cancer type, including thyroid, adrenal gland, and other endocrine malignancies. Results: From 2004 to 2018, a total of 5,183 cases of endocrine cancer were recorded in Jordan, with variations in age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs) by year and cancer type. Thyroid cancer was the most prevalent, accounting for 4,746 cases (91.6%), followed by adrenal gland cancer (335 cases, 6.5%) and other endocrine cancers (102 cases, 2.0%). The AAIR of endocrine cancers in Jordan averaged 4.97 cases per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 4.37–5.65), with a statistically significant annual increase of 0.127 cases per 100,000 (p = 0.0037). Thyroid cancer exhibited the highest AAIR at 59.7 per 100,000 (95% CI: 58.0–61.6), followed by adrenal gland cancer at 3.21 per 100,000 (95% CI: 2.85–3.61) and other endocrine malignancies at 1.12 per 100,000 (95% CI: 0.90–1.40). The highest AAIR for endocrine cancers was recorded in 2013 at 6.64 per 100,000 (95% CI: 5.99–7.37), followed by a decline in the next years. Conclusions: This study highlights a significant upward trend in the incidence of endocrine cancers in Jordan over the past 14 years, driven primarily by thyroid cancer. The increasing trend aligns with global patterns of rising thyroid cancer incidence, which may be due to improved detection techniques and changes in environmental or lifestyle factors. To address this growing health concern, healthcare policies should proactively respond and adapt to these trends.