Oropharyngeal cancer survivorship in Denmark, 1977-2012.

OBJECTIVES

Incidence rates for human papillomavirus positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-positive OPC) have significantly increased in numerous developed countries in recent decades. Fortunately, HPV-positive OPC has improved survival relative to HPV-negative OPC. Given these incidence trends and survival differences, we hypothesized that OPC survivorship has increased in affected populations over time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Poisson and Cox regression models were used to examine incidence and OPC survivorship trends in a population-based prospective registry, the Danish Cancer Registry.

RESULTS

In Denmark, OPC incidence (p<0.001) and median survival (p<0.001) significantly increased from 1977 to 2012. Consequently, the number of 5-year OPC survivors in the Danish population increased from 72 in 1980 to 1311 in 2010.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term sequelae of curative therapy in the growing number of OPC survivors will need to be evaluated to address their unique survivorship needs.