Shin Hye-Sun, Choi Junho, Park Yuyi, Shin Uiseop, Kim Sangmyeong, Han Dong-Hun
Department of Dental Hygiene, Dongnam Health University, Suwon-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 16328, Republic of Korea.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
BMC Oral Health. 2025 Jul 1;25(1):969. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-06351-1.
Although recent global studies have highlighted shifting patterns in oropharyngeal cancer, Korea lacks comprehensive epidemiological data on oral cancer, including detailed prevalence by anatomical subsites, age, and sex. This study aims to analyze long-term trends in oral cancer incidence and mortality in Korea, with particular attention to disease spectrum across subsites.
Patient data from individuals diagnosed between 2001 and 2021 were obtained from Cancer Registration Statistics by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, while cause-of-death statistics from Statistics Korea provided information on deaths due to malignant neoplasms of the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated using the direct method, with the 2000 Korean mid-year population as the standard. Temporal trends were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis to estimate annual percentage changes (APCs) and to identify significant shifts in incidence and mortality across sex, age group, and subsites.
The overall trend in oral cancer incidence among males was modest (APC: 0.30), with the most notable increase observed in those aged 45 or younger (APC: 2.13). In females, oral cancer incidence showed a significant increase (APC: 2.19), with the highest rise occurring in those aged 45 or younger (APC: 3.20). Subsite-specific trends showed that in males, the greatest increases were in cancers of the tonsils (APC: 3.11), salivary glands (APC: 2.01), and tongue (APC: 1.95), whereas in females, the tongue (APC: 3.97), tonsils (APC: 3.85), and salivary glands (APC: 3.09) showed the highest increases.
These findings demonstrate distinct epidemiological shifts in oral cancer in Korea over the past two decades, particularly by age, sex, and anatomical subsite. While incidence increased notably among younger females, mortality declined in males, suggesting improved survival outcomes. These results underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and subsite-specific prevention strategies tailored to evolving demographic and clinical patterns.
尽管近期的全球研究突出了口咽癌模式的变化，但韩国缺乏关于口腔癌的全面流行病学数据，包括按解剖亚部位、年龄和性别划分的详细患病率。本研究旨在分析韩国口腔癌发病率和死亡率的长期趋势，尤其关注各亚部位的疾病谱。
从韩国卫生与福利部的癌症登记统计数据中获取2001年至2021年期间确诊患者的数据，而韩国统计局的死因统计数据提供了唇、口腔和咽恶性肿瘤导致死亡的信息。采用直接法计算年龄标准化发病率和死亡率，以2000年韩国年中人口为标准。使用连接点回归分析评估时间趋势，以估计年度百分比变化（APC），并确定性别、年龄组和亚部位发病率和死亡率的显著变化。
男性口腔癌发病率总体呈适度上升趋势（APC：0.30），45岁及以下人群上升最为显著（APC：2.13）。女性口腔癌发病率显著上升（APC：2.19），45岁及以下人群上升幅度最大（APC：3.20）。亚部位特异性趋势显示，男性中，扁桃体癌（APC：3.11）、唾液腺癌（APC：2.01）和舌癌（APC：1.95）上升幅度最大，而女性中，舌癌（APC：3.97）、扁桃体癌（APC：3.85）和唾液腺癌（APC：3.09）上升幅度最高。
这些发现表明，在过去二十年中，韩国口腔癌的流行病学发生了明显变化，尤其是在年龄、性别和解剖亚部位方面。虽然年轻女性发病率显著上升，但男性死亡率下降，表明生存结果有所改善。这些结果强调了持续监测以及根据不断变化的人口统计学和临床模式制定亚部位特异性预防策略的重要性。
