In 2023, hospitals across the EU discharged 4.9 million in-patients diagnosed with cancer. Among these patients, colorectal cancer was the most common diagnosis (554 112 hospital discharges; 11.2% of all discharged cancer patients), followed by lung cancer (506 372; 10.3%) and breast cancer (480 922; 9.7%).

EU hospital discharges of in-patients diagnosed with cancer, 2023 (number of patients in thousands, by type of cancer). Chart. See link to the full dataset below.

Source dataset: hlth_tinpat1

In 18 EU countries, colorectal cancer was the leading diagnosis among discharged resident in-patients suffering from cancer. The discharge rate was highest in Croatia (360 discharged colorectal cancer patients per 100 000 inhabitants), Latvia (243) and Austria (239). In contrast, the lowest discharge rates were reported in Malta (31 patients per 100 000 inhabitants), Luxembourg (56) and Ireland (58).

Hospital discharges of resident in-patients with colorectal cancer, 2023 (per 100 000 people). Chart. See link to the full dataset below.

Source dataset: hlth_rinpat2

This article marks World Cancer Day, observed annually on 4 February.