Incidence trends of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers among males in Taiwan, 1980–2019: a population-based cancer registry study

Abstract

In a country with a high prevalence of cigarette smoking, betel chewing, and alcohol drinking, cancers of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, and larynx were the fourth, twelfth and seventeenth leading causes of cancer death, respectively, for men in 2020. We analyzed patients with head and neck cancer from 1980 to 2019 from the Taiwan Cancer Registration Database and discussed the annual average percent change, average percent change, age period, and birth cohort. Obvious period effects and birth effects are seen in oral, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancer; however, the most significant period effect was seen between 1990 and 2009, which mainly reflects the consumption of betel nuts per capita. In addition, the period effect lessens after 2010 in oral cancer and hypopharyngeal cancers, while oropharyngeal cancers remain an obvious period effect, which results from the rising prevalence of HPV. Due to the high prevalence rate of betel quid chewing and cigarette smoking in the 1990s, the government executed several acts. As a result, the age-adjusted incidence rates of oral, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancers have flattened since 2010, which can be explained by the declining cigarette smoking rate. The strict policy indeed shows an obvious effect on the head and neck cancer incidence rates, and we expect to see a further decline in the future.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Oral Cancers Using Transoral Robotic Surgery in an Endemic Region

“…Importantly, oral cancer is a distinct disease entity in Taiwan, being different from oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, as it is more radioresistant, and the majority of cases are not associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) [3,4]. Hence, surgery plays a significant role in treating oral cancers due to their unique characteristics and treatment requirements.…”

“…Within the specific context of Taiwan, oral cancer also poses a significant health burden. Among countries worldwide, Taiwan has one of the highest incidence rates of oral cancer, making it the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths [3,4]. Being endemic in Taiwan, oral cancer has a significantly higher prevalence among younger males in Taiwan.…”

Targeting of FSP1 regulates iron homeostasis in drug-tolerant persister head and neck cancer cells via lipid-metabolism-driven ferroptosis

“…Treatment strategies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), such as radiotherapy and surgical techniques, have improved considerably, and chemotherapy or monoclonal antibody use has benefitted treatments; nonetheless, more than half of treated patients with HNSCC experience disease recurrence [1]. Head and neck cancer is a major contributor to cancer mortality in men in Taiwan [2]. Treatments available for head and neck cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy [3].…”