Age-group-specific trend analyses of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma incidence from 1989 to 2018 and risk factors profile by age-group in 2015–2018: a population-based study in The Netherlands

Abstract

Incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing globally and the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked to this increase. This study aimed to present a comprehensive overview of OPSCC trends in incidence rates by age group and investigate differences in risk factors profile. Netherlands Cancer Registry data from 1989-2018 were analyzed to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) over European standardized incidence rates by gender and age group using joinpoint regression software. Smoking, alcohol drinking and HPV-status were available for . During 1989 048 cases of OPSCC were reported with a male-to-female ratio of 2.1:1. The overall incidence rate increased by 5.4% (APC) annually from 1989 to 1996 but slowed thereafter by 1.2%. Significant declines were found in patients of 35-44 years (APCs −3.7%). Adults aged 45-59 years displayed significant increases from 1989 to 2001, followed by a significant decline. In patients ≥60 years, the incidence rates increased overall, with APC for women being consistently higher than men. The data on HPV status was available for 69% of the patients, of whom 47% were HPV+. Smoking and alcohol consumption were more prevalent, that is 75 and 76 % respectively. The declining trends of OPSCC for Dutch people aged 35-44 years from 1989 to 2018 and for those aged 45-59 years from 2002 onwards are inconsistent to trends reported elsewhere in the developed countries. The prevalence of smoking and drinking alcohol was quite high in all age groups, whereas the proportion of HPV-positivity was relatively low.

Human papillomavirus and p16INK4a in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…So that, we estimated AF of HPV for oropharyngeal SCC by geographic region. We found that in more developed regions (ie, North America, Oceania, and Europe), AFs of HPV were higher than those in less developed region (ie, Asia, Latin America, and Africa), which was in line with the upward trend of HPV prevalence in these developed countries, such as the United States, 32,33 Australia, 30 Ireland, 27 Netherland, 28 and Denmark. 29 Especially in North America and Oceania, more than 60% of oropharyngeal SCC cases were attributable to HPV infection, which has become the most common cause of oropharyngeal SCC.…”

“…Between 2012 and 2021, HPV‐related oropharyngeal SCC continued to increase in Europe and Oceania which was mentioned above. Upward trend of HPV‐related oropharyngeal SCC was reported in many countries in Europe and Oceania 27‐30 . Changes in HPV prevalence in Asia, Europe, and Oceania may lead to these differences.…”

“…Upward trend of HPV-related oropharyngeal SCC was reported in many countries in Europe and Oceania. [27][28][29][30] Changes in HPV prevalence in Asia, Europe, and Oceania may lead to these differences. Our findings indicated the HPV prevalence in oropharyngeal SCC in Africa was 35.8%.…”

2011–2021 rising prevalence of HPV infection among oropharyngeal carcinoma in France

“…The increasing prevalence of HPV infection among patients with OPC in Europe has been shown in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Italy [3,[18][19][20][21]. At the same time, successful national health campaigns targeting heavy smoking and alcohol addictions in most developed countries over the past several decades have resulted in reduced incidences of smoking-related head and neck cancers [22].…”

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of the long non-coding RNA HOTAIR high expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in humans and includes a variety of tumors located in the mouth, nose, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx (4,5). It is primarily caused by smoking, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (6,7). HNSCC has a high morbidity and mortality rate (8,9), and despite great advances in its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, 5-year overall survival (OS) remains low due to lymphnode metastasis and local recurrence (10,11).…”