Global Burden of Head and Neck Cancer: Economic Consequences, Health, and the Role of Surgery

Abstract

Objective We aimed to describe the mortality burden and macroeconomic effects of head and neck cancer as well as delineate the role of surgical workforce in improving head and neck cancer outcomes. Study Design Statistical and economic analysis. Setting Research group. Subjects and Methods We conducted a statistical analysis on data from the World Development Indicators and the 2016 Global Burden of Disease study to describe the relationship between surgical workforce and global head and neck cancer mortality-to-incidence ratios. A value of lost output model was used to project the global macroeconomic effects of head and neck cancer. Results Significant differences in mortality-to-incidence ratios existed between Global Burden of Disease study superregions. An increase of surgical, anesthetic, and obstetric provider density by 10% significantly correlated with a reduction of 0.76% in mortality-to-incidence ratio ( P < .0001; adjusted R2 = 0.84). There will be a projected global cumulative loss of $535 billion US dollars (USD) in economic output due to head and neck cancer between 2018 and 2030. Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania will suffer the greatest gross domestic product (GDP) losses at $180 billion USD, and South Asia will lose $133 billion USD. Conclusion The mortality burden of head and neck cancer is increasing and disproportionately affects those in low- and middle-income countries and regions with limited surgical workforces. This imbalance results in large and growing economic losses in countries that already face significant resource constraints. Urgent investment in the surgical workforce is necessary to ensure access to timely surgical services and reverse these negative trends.

The Unseen Global Burden of Disease

“…For those countries that do have good data recording, there is a lack of data centralization and limited access for those individuals interested in studying GBD or other surgical trends. 1,2,7,8 How to Interpret and Use the Unseen…”

“…The pursuit to define the global burden of disease (GBD) has been an expanding field of research for surgeons, especially since the publication of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery in 2015. 1 By clearly describing the surgical deficits and challenges facing low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the commission suggested that expanded efforts should be taken to better understand the surgical GBD. In doing so, along with a myriad of other important research endeavors, the global medical community could enter an era of global medicine with a new approach.…”

Is AJCC/UICC Staging Still Appropriate for Head and Neck Cancers in Developing Countries?

“…2 Developing countries also account for 67% of head and neck cancers and 82% of head and neck cancer-related deaths. 3 Cancer of the head and neck is therefore primarily a disease of the developing world. However, the way head and neck cancers are investigated and treated in developed versus developing countries is increasingly divergent because of technological advances and financial and infrastructural differences.…”

Plasma ion implantation of 3D‐printed PEEK creates optimal host conditions for bone ongrowth and mineralisation

“…[2][3][4] This is a significant issue, given the high mortality associated with head and neck cancer. [5] Within the craniofacial skeleton, titanium dental implants have been implemented for more than 50 years due to the ability of surface-optimised titanium to osseointegrate. [6,7] More recently, larger load-bearing titanium prostheses have been used as zygomatic implants for bone-poor maxillae and oncological defects [8] and temporomandibular joint prostheses.…”

“…[ 2‐4 ] This is a significant issue, given the high mortality associated with head and neck cancer. [ 5 ]…”