Epidemiological aspects of oral and pharyngeal cancers in the Basque Country

Abstract

Oral and pharyngeal cancer is an entity constituted by a group of tumours that arise in several heterogeneous anatomical sites, and for this reason it is difficult to establish comparisons. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of oropharyngeal cancer in the Basque Autonomous Community (BAC), to learn the incidence rate and to establish comparisons. Data of cases are from the Basque Country Cancer Registry for the period 1986-1994, and the methodology used is descriptive. We included 2548 cases, and the sex ratio was 7.4:1. Diagnosis was made by histology in most cases (99%). The crude incidence rate was 24.1/100,000 population for men and 3.1/100,000 for women. Higher incidence rates were found in the tongue (6.6), lip (5.8) and oropharynx (4.9). No variation was found in the incidence during the period. In comparison with other Spanish registries, there is a high incidence in men of cancer in the oral cavity. The results obtained show the characteristics of oral and pharyngeal cancer in the BAC and its magnitude, highlighting the importance of future preventive actions.

Oral tongue cancer in public hospitals in Madrid, Spain (1990-2008)

“…In our series these neoplasms constitute 94.9%, a slightly larger percentage than that described by Izarzugaza et al (91.7%), whose series included the base of tongue (18). …”

Head and neck cancer, epidemiology and histological aspects – Part 1: A decade's results 1993–2002

“…Regarding the frequency of oral and pharyngeal cancer, Izarzugaza et al (2001) reported that in the Basque Country, Spain, squamous cell carcinoma was found in 95% of the 2548 tumours of the head and neck. But oral and pharyngeal cancer arise in several heterogeneous anatomical sites, and for this reason it is difficult to establish comparisons with other sites.…”

Lip cancer in Zimbabwe Report of 14 cases

“…Insufficient melanin also appears to explain the high proportion of lip squamous cell carcinoma in White persons with a fair complexion 3,11,13,19 . This is exacerbated by actinic radiation.…”