Objective To analyze the incidence and mortality of cancer among the elderly in China in 1990 and 2019.

Methods Using the 2019 global burden of disease database, the incidence and mortality of Chinese elderly between 60~89 years old and different age groups from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed.

Results The incidence of cancer among the elderly in China was 862.59/100 000 in 1990 and 1 147.15/100 000 in 2019, with an average annual increase of 0.9%95% confidence interval(CI)0.6~1.1. The mortality rate decreased from 837.43/100 000 in 1990 to 767.57/100 000 in 2019, with an average annual decrease of 0.4%(95%CI -0.7~ -0.2). Lung cancer ranked first in male and female incidence and mortality. The most common types of cancer in male incidence and mortality were lung, gastric, colorectal, and esophageal, while in females, lung, breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer. With the increase in age, the incidence and mortality increase year by year. In 2019, the age group with the highest incidence and mortality was 85~89 years old, 1 965.68/100 000 and 1 920.83/100 000 respectively.

Conclusions The burden of malignant tumor disease in the elderly population in China is large, and the first order of incidence and mortality for both men and women is lung cancer. Cancer prevention and control should be strengthened in the elderly population, and targeted cancer prevention and control strategies should be carried out in the elderly population according to the actual situation.