title: Trends of human papillomavirus-related head and neck cancers in Korea: national cancer registry data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck cancers (HNCs) is increasing sharply worldwide, while their HPV-negative counterparts are showing a decreased frequency. However, epidemiologic data related to these changes are sparse in Korea, which is rapidly adopting more westernized lifestyles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry, a nationwide population-based cancer registry, from 1999 to 2009 were retrieved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Age-standardized rates (ASRs), their annual percent changes (APC) and male-to-female incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were analyzed and compared between HPV-related and HPV-unrelated primary sites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HPV-related sites (oropharynx) had increased significantly over the period 1999 to 2009 (APC = 2.35%, P = 0.017), particularly in young men (30-59 years, APC = 2.65%, P = 0.031), whereas HPV-unrelated sites such as larynx and hypopharynx decreased markedly in both sexes. Interestingly, tongue cancer was found to have increased gradually (APC = 2.35%, P = 0.003) in both sexes. The male-to-female IRRs and the median age of occurrence remained stable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the cultural and ethnic background differs from the United States, cancers of HPV-related sites are increasing in Korea, whereas cancers of HPV-unrelated sites are decreasing, which is similar to the trends observed in the United States. Greater public awareness in Korea of HPV-related HNCs is therefore warranted.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of South Korea; Cancer Registration and Statistics Branch, Division of Cancer Registration and Surveillance, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of South Korea.
authors.forename: Aesun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Yuh-S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Kyu-Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Kyeezu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Junsun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Young-Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Won
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012042:Registries; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Head and neck neoplasms; Korea; cancer registry; human papillomavirus; incidence; oral cancer; oropharyngeal neoplasms; smoking