To describe bone cancer incidence in Saudi Arabia according to age group, sex, calendar year, and administrative region, with emphasis on age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs).
Approach:
Study Design: A retrospective population-based descriptive study using data from the Saudi Cancer Registry for primary bone cancer cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2020.
Data Analysis: Incidence patterns were summarized using frequencies, age-specific incidence rates, crude incidence rates (CIRs), and ASIRs, stratified by sex, age group, year of diagnosis, and region.
Key Findings:
A total of 2,275 primary bone cancer cases were recorded, with 1,318 males (57.9%) and 957 females (42.1%).
Bone cancer accounted for approximately 2.0% of all cancers among males and 0.9% among females.
Mean ASIRs were higher in males (≈1.0 per 100,000) than females (≈0.7 per 100,000), while CIRs remained below 2.0 per 100,000 throughout the study period.
Age-specific incidence showed a peak in the 15–19-year age group, followed by the 10–14-year group.
Regional variation in ASIRs was noted, with higher rates in Al-Jouf and Najran and lower rates in Jazan.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
The study relies on data from the Saudi Cancer Registry, which may have limitations in completeness and accuracy.
The analysis does not account for potential changes in diagnostic practices or healthcare access over the study period.
Conclusion:
Continued enhancement of population-based cancer surveillance is essential for accurate epidemiological assessment and informed public health planning.
by Ibrahim G. Alghamdi, Hasan A Alaidarous, Murad I Alghamdi, Khalid A Alghamdi, Musharraf A Alghamdi, Mazen S Alghamdi, Anas A Alzahrani, Tariq A Alghamdi, Osama M Alomari, Khalid S Alghamdi, Mohammed M Alzahrani, Ragad A Alzahrani, Hazim H Alsadi
Harold Burstein, MD, PhD, and Ana C. Garrido-Castro, MD discuss results from the Pumitamig + DB-1305/BNT325 trial, which were presented at the 2026 ESMO Breast Cancer Congress.
