International comparisons of the incidence and mortality of sinonasal cancer

Abstract

Background: This paper reviews international patterns in sinonasal cancer incidence and mortality in light of changes in exposure to known risk factors. Sinonasal tumours are relatively rare, but they have the second highest occupational attributable fraction of all types of cancer, with a wellestablished link for workers exposed to wood dust. Methods: Data for a variety of countries, mainly in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region, were obtained from publicly accessible sources and supplemented with information requested from selected cancer registries. Rates were directly age-standardised to the World Health Organization Standard Population. Results: The average annual incidence of sinonasal cancer was typically between 5-10 per million in males and between 2-5 per million in females between 2004-2008. Denmark reported the highest rates, with incidence continuing to increase, in contrast to trends in other countries which either remained relatively stable, or were decreasing slightly. There were significant recent decreases in sinonasal cancer mortality rates within two-thirds of the included countries. Conclusions: Our observations are generally consistent with efforts to limit exposure to wood dust and other potentially causal substances in the workplace, as well as a reduction in the prevalence of smoking in many developed countries. Of concern is that occupational and behavioural risks related to sinonasal cancer are likely to increase among people in less developed countries into the future. However the incentive to intervene in these countries is limited by the lack of accurate and reliable cancer data.

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma and EGFR mutations: a molecular footprint of a benign lesion

“…Sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SNSCCs) are rare, representing approximately 3% of all head and neck malignancies . Tobacco smoking is associated with an increased risk of SNSCC, although less dramatically than in other head and neck cancers . Alternatively, human papillomavirus (HPV) is involved in SNSCC carcinogenesis .…”

Sinonasal malignancies: A population‐based analysis of site‐specific incidence and survival

“…Sinonasal malignancies are relatively rare but aggressive tumors. Of the five to 10 cases per million, they tend to affect whites most commonly and occur twice as frequently in males . These tumors comprise approximately 3% to 5% of all head and neck cancers and less than 1% of all malignancies .…”

“…These tumors comprise approximately 3% to 5% of all head and neck cancers and less than 1% of all malignancies . Of the wide variety of histological subtypes, squamous cell carcinomas are the most common and have been reported to constitute more than 40% of cases …”

Establishment and genetic characterization of six unique tumor cell lines as preclinical models for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

“…In contrast to most head and neck cancers, tobacco does not appear to play a key role. However, there is evidence for a 2–3 fold increase in sinonasal SCC risk from tobacco smoking67. Finally, human papilloma virus (HPV) types 16 and 18 may be implicated in the development of sinonasal SCC, mainly in those cases with malignant transformation of inverted papillomas which occurs in 5 to 15% cases89.…”

“…The principal cause of mortality is local recurrence (40–50% of all cases), occurring even when the tumor was extracted with wide tumor-free resection margins. The overall 5-year survival is 30–50%127. Therefore, additional options for treatment are needed for the management of sinonasal SCC.…”