title: Incidence and mortality trends of head and neck cancer in Croatia in the period 1988-2008.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence and mortality trends in men displayed a significant downward trend in Croatia during the study period. No significant changes of incidence and mortality trends were observed in women. Decreasing trends observed in men are similar to other European countries. Further decreases in HNC incidence and mortality could be achieved with more restrictive alcohol and tobacco control policies and adherence to national treatment guidelines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe and interpret trends in incidence and mortality of HNC in Croatia in the period 1988-2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  HNCs were defined as ICD-10 codes C00-C14, C32. Incidence data were obtained from the Croatian National Cancer Registry, while numbers of deaths were obtained from the WHO Mortality Databank. Joinpoint regression analysis of age-standardized rates (ASR, standard world population) and age-specific rates for 10-year age groups was used to estimate changes in trends of HNC incidence and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HNC incidence and mortality in men declined steadily during the study period (estimated annual percent change (EAPC) of -1.5% and -1.8%, respectively). The most prominent decreases of -5.7% annually for incidence and -9.3% for mortality were observed in the youngest age group, 30-39 years. A non-significant increase in incidence (EAPC 0.9%) and decrease in mortality (EAPC -1.3%) were observed in women.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ear, Nose and Throat Disease and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Merkur, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Tin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Znaor
authors.forename: Luka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vučemilo
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kulis
authors.forename: Ariana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Znaor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D017523:Croatia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends