Sociodemographic and etiological differences of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in young and old patients in southern Iran.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is typically seen in middle-aged to elderly men but, recently, is increasing in young adults. The aim of this study was to compare the demographic and etiological data of young and old patients with HNSCC in southern Iran. Patients with HNSCC were divided into 2 groups: the young (<or=40 y old) and the old (>or=50 y old). Both groups showed male predilection. The nasopharynx was the most common site in the young group (68.5%), whereas the oral cavity (40%) was the most common site in the old group. In the young group, 68.4% showed none of the usual risk factors. The results suggest that factors other than tobacco and alcohol may be implicated in the development of HNSCC in young patients in southern Iran.