Patterns of head and neck cancer incidence, mortality, and survival in the U.S. Hispanic population.

Abstract

e13084 Background: To compare the incidence, mortality, and survival of head and neck cancer (HNCA) in the U.S. Hispanic population to other racial/ethnic groups. Methods: Using the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, we compared the incidence and mortality of cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx between the U.S. Hispanic population versus other racial and ethnic subgroups, as well as the annual percent change between 2000-2013. A comparative analysis for different groups stratified by age and sex was performed. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier estimate and logistic regression analysis. Results: The incidence of oral cavity, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers were significantly lower in Hispanics compared to Non-Hispanics (p < 0.05). The incidence of laryngeal cancer decreased significantly at a rate of 2.5% annually (p < 0.05), while incidence of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers remained unchanged in U.S. Hispanics. The mortality rate for oral cavity, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers in the U.S. Hispanic population were 1.4 per 100,000, 1.1 per 100,000, and 1.2 per 100,000 respectively. Mortality rates in Hispanics were significantly lower compared to Non-Hispanics (p < 0.05). Non-Hispanics Blacks had the highest HNCA-related mortality among all the compared groups. The mortality of HNCA was significantly declining annually in the U.S. Hispanic population (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The incidence and mortality of HNCA in the U.S. Hispanic population appears to be declining and is significantly lower compared to Non-Hispanics.