Objective To investigate the incidence and mortality rates of malignant tumor in Huai River Basin of Anhui Province, China, from 2011 to 2016.

Methods Related data were collected from five tumor registries in Huai River Basin of Anhui Province during 2011—2016, and the incidence and mortality rates of malignant tumor were analyzed based on sex, as well as the top 10 malignant tumors and their constituent ratios. The age-specific incidence and mortality rates were standardized based on Chinese standard population in 2000 and Segi's world population.

Results A total of 74 435 new cases of malignant tumor were reported in five tumor registries in Huai River Basin of Anhui Province during 2011—2016, with a crude incidence rate of 228.87/100 000, an age-standardized incidence rate of 171.84/100 000 by Chinese standard population, an age-standardized incidence rate of 168.46/100 000 by world standard population, and a cumulative incidence rate (0-74 years) of 19.65%. A total of 49 085 deaths of malignant tumor were reported, with a crude mortality rate of 150.92/100 000, an age-standardized mortality rate of 107.51/100 000 by Chinese standard population, an age-standardized mortality rate of 106.16/100 000 by world standard population, and a cumulative mortality rate (0-74 years) of 12.32%. Lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, female breast cancer, brain tumor, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia were the most common malignant tumors in the area, which accounted for 81.72% of new cases. Lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, brain tumor, pancreatic cancer, female breast cancer, leukemia, and gallbladder carcinoma were the major causes of death due to tumor, which accounted for 86.75% of deaths due to tumor.

Conclusion The incidence and mortality rates of malignant tumor in Huai River Basin of Anhui Province are lower than the average levels of the whole province during 2011—2016. Lung cancer, digestive system malignancies, and female breast cancer are the most common types of tumor in the area. Early prevention and control measures should be implemented to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of these types of tumor.