Incidence and survival trends of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the Netherlands between 1989 and 2011.

BACKGROUND

Incidence and survival trends of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are essential knowledge for guiding policy making and research.

METHODS

The total population of the Netherlands was studied covering 1989-2011. Two-and five-year survival and age-standardized incidence rates of HNSCC were assessed in relation to site, gender and age (15 years-of-age categories).

RESULTS

We recorded a statistically significant increase of oral, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma for males and females of all ages, varying from 0.6% (hypopharynx in males) to 2.7% (oropharynx in females) per year. The incidence of laryngeal carcinoma significantly decreased for males with 2.3% per year; for females the situation was stable. In young adults (below 45 years of age) the incidence figures were different: significant decreasing incidence trends were seen for both genders for carcinomas of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. Regarding oral carcinoma, no change was observed for the young patient group, but for subsites trends were divergent. Carcinoma of the floor or mouth decreased for both genders, but carcinoma of the tongue rose by a significant 2.8% per year for young males. Five-year survival trends for all ages showed no change for laryngeal carcinoma, a small improvement for oral and hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and a substantial and significant improvement of survival from 36% to 47% survival over the total period for oropharyngeal carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

In the Netherlands for the last two decades, the incidence of oral, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has increased and survival has improved. The incidence of laryngeal carcinoma has decreased in males, and remained unchanged in females; survival from laryngeal carcinoma has not changed.