Head and neck cancer in Canada: trends 1992 to 2007.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in the epidemiology (incidence, age at diagnosis, and survival) of head and neck cancers (HNCs) in Canada in the past decade.


METHODS
Analysis of a national cancer data registry.


METHODS
All Canadian hospital institutions treating head and neck cancer.


METHODS
Using Canadian Cancer Registry data (1992-2007), the authors categorized HNCs into 3 groups according to their possible association with human papillomavirus (HPV): oropharynx (highly associated), oral cavity (moderate association), and "other" (hypopharynx, larynx, and nasopharynx), which are not HPV related. They calculated age-adjusted incidence, median age at diagnosis, and survival for each category.


RESULTS
Oropharynx tumors increased in incidence over the study time period (annual percent change: 1.50% men, 0.8% women), whereas oral cavity tumors decreased (2.10% men, 0.4% women), as did other HNCs (decreased by 3.0% for men and 1.9% for women). The median age at diagnosis for oropharynx cancer decreased by an average of 0.23 years/y. There was no change for oral cavity tumors but an increase for other HNCs of 0.12 years/y. Survival for patients with oropharynx cancer increased by 1.5%/y but was significant for men only. Survival for patients with oral cavity and other HNCs also increased in men only by 0.9%/y and 0.25%/y, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Oropharynx cancer, which is highly correlated with HPV infection, is increasing in incidence in Canada, with a decreasing age at diagnosis and an improvement in survival. This could have implications for screening strategies and treatment for oropharyngeal cancers in Canada.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. sjohnsonobaseki@gmail.com
Stephanie
S
Johnson-Obaseki
James Ted
JT
McDonald
Martin
M
Corsten
Ryan
R
Rourke
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult