Trends in the incidence of head and neck cancer by subsite between 1993 and 2015 in Japan

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are still important risk factors for head and neck cancer (HNC) in developing countries, even though decreasing in tobacco prevalence. Recently, an increased incidence of oropharyngeal cancer due to human papilloma virus (HPV) infection has attracted attention in advanced countries, including the United States and Europe. However, few studies have evaluated trends in the incidence of HNC by subsite in Japan. METHODS: Accordingly, we evaluated these trends in Japan using data from population‐based cancer registries. We compiled population‐based incidence data from the Monitoring of Cancer Incidence in Japan Project, based on data from 19 population‐based cancer registries. Number of incident cases and age‐standardized incidence rates of HNC were estimated by subsite, namely lip, oral cavity, salivary glands, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasal and paranasal cavity, middle ear and NOS. Trends in agestandardized incidence rates were characterized using the Joinpoint analysis. RESULTS: Among both sexes, oral cavity cancer, salivary gland cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer showed an upward trend (oral cavity: annual percent change (APC) 1.2% for men and APC 1.9% for women; salivary gland: APC 2.2% for men and APC 3.1% for women; oropharynx: APC 5.0% for men and APC 7.6% for women). Additionally, hypopharyngeal cancer showed an upward trend for men (APC 4.1%), and nasopharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer showed a downward trend for men (nasopharynx: APC −2.7%; larynx: −1.1%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings will assist in focusing on the individual prevention of HNC.