Trends in the incidence of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers in Spain

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare incidence trends of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers, using data from population-based Spanish cancer registries. Adjusted rates were calculated using the standard world population, and incidence trends were analyzed for individual and pooled registries using joinpoint regression. Analysis of 7 pooled registries revealed a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of oral cavity cancer in men (annual percent change [APC] = -3.1) and a nonsignificant decrease in women (APC = -4.5) over the period from 1991 to 2001. For oropharyngeal cancer, the trend was for a statistically significant increase in men in 4 registries. There is growing evidence that the incidence of oral cavity cancer is in decline, while the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer has been increasing over the past 3 decades, especially in developed countries, and this study reinforces such evidence.