The Epidemiology And Cancer-Related Hospital Use Of Sarcoma In Western Australia: A Linked Data Analysis

Abstract Background Epidemiological studies on sarcoma from Australia are lacking, as previous studies have focused on a sarcoma type (e.g. soft tissue) or anatomical sites. Planning for centralised referral and management of sarcoma, which improves outcomes, is aided by accurate understanding of the disease burden. Methods Routinely linked cancer registry, hospital morbidity and death registration data from 1982 to 2016 for Western Australia (WA) were used. All new sarcoma cases among WA residents were included, using the European Information Network on Rare Cancers definitions. Measures of interest were incidence, prevalence, relative survival and cancer-related hospitalisations. Results The age-standardised incidence and prevalence for bone sarcoma was stable, relative to soft tissue sarcoma (STS), which increased over time. For 2012-16, the combined sarcoma crude annual incidence was 7.3 per 100,000, with the majority being STS (incidence of 5.9 per 100,000). Five-year relative survival for the period 2012-16 was higher for bone sarcoma (71%) than for STS (65%). The cumulative cost for cancer-related hospitalisations was an estimated $(Australian, 2019) 29 million. Conclusions STS incidence increased over time in WA, with an increasing proportion of people diagnosed aged ≥65 years. This study provides insights into the burden of sarcoma in WA. Use of a European sarcoma definition facilitated comparison of incidence and survival with values reported in Europe. Key messages This study describes the epidemiology of sarcoma, a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumours, in WA. The linked data approach facilitated assessment of health service utilisation; this approach may be useful for application in other settings.