Global, regional, and national burden of soft tissue and extraosseous sarcomas from 1990 to 2021

Objective: To conduct a comprehensive global epidemiological investigation of soft tissue and extraosseous sarcomas from 1990 to 2021 and uncover the demographic and geographical variations.

Methods: Incidence and death data of soft tissue and extraosseous sarcomas between 1990 and 2021 were derived from the Global Burden of Disease 2021. The estimated annual percentage change was calculated. The demographic patterns were analyzed in-depth based on age and gender.

Results: From 1990 to 2021, there was an increase in the number and crude rate of incidence and death of soft tissue and extraosseous sarcomas, while age-standardized rate declined. Males consistently exhibited a heavier burden compared to females. The incidence and death rates of soft tissue and extraosseous sarcomas generally increased with age, with a similar pattern in both males and females. Compared to 1990, the incidence rate among the elderly increased in 2021, while the incidence rate in children under 5 decreased, and there was little change in other age groups. The death rate among children and the elderly has decreased, while little change in other age groups has been observed.

Conclusions: The disease burden of soft tissue and extraosseous sarcomas remains a critical challenge. Data-driven analysis is crucial for guiding clinical practice, informing public health policies, and shaping future research agendas.