Incidence trends of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in the aging population--A SEER-based analysis from 2000 to 2016

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Melissa A Taylor, Emory University; Jeffrey Switchenko, Emory University; William Stokes, Emory University; Mihir Patel, Emory University; Mark McDonald, Emory University; Conor Steuer, Emory University; Ashley Aiken, Emory University; Jonathan Beitler, Emory University; Dong Shin, Emory University; Nabil Saba, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-07-20
• Publisher: WILEY
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cam4.4134
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: CANCER MEDICINE
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 17
• Start Page: 6070
• End Page: 6077
• Grant/Funding Information: None
• Keywords: incidence trends; Science & Technology; PREVALENCE; OLDER PATIENTS; UNITED-STATES; OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER; elderly population; HUMAN-PAPILLOMAVIRUS; HPV; MALES; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; ADULTS; Oncology; squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
• Research Categories: Biology, Biostatistics; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background: Tobacco and alcohol use are risk factors for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN); however, there is growing recognition of HPV as a risk factor for SCCHN. HPV-related SCCHN is thought to affect mostly middle-aged individuals but as the US population ages, it is important to evaluate the change in incidence of HPV- and non-HPV-related SCCHN in individuals who are ≥65 years old. Methods: This was a retrospective study using data from a population-based cancer registry (SEER) to identify individuals ≥65 years old diagnosed with SCCHN between 2000 and 2016 also stratified by sex, race, and birth cohort. The subgroups of HPV-associated and non-HPV associated sites were analyzed independently. The incidence per year was calculated and joinpoint detection was used to identity significant changes in incidence trends and annual percent change (APC). Results: For HPV-associated sites from 2000 to 2016, there was an average annual rate of 10.8 per 100,000 individuals with an APC of 2.92% (p = <0.05). For HPV- and non-HPV-related SCCHN males had a higher annual rate compared to females, 54.5 versus 18.0 in non-HPV-related and 19.1 versus 4.4 in HPV-related sites. For non-HPV-related sites there was a decrease in APC across all stratified groups. For HPV-related sites there was an increase in APC across all stratified groups, especially males (APC 8.82% 2006–2016 p < 0.05) and White individuals (APC 8.19% 2006–2016 p < 0.05). When stratified by birth cohort, HPV-related SCCHN sites had a higher APC in ages 65–69 (8.38% p < 0.05) and 70–74 (8.54% p < 0.05). Conclusion: Among the population ≥65 years old from 2000 to 2016, the incidence rate for HPV-related SCCHN sites has increased across all stratified groups, especially in White individuals, males, and age groups 65–74. The incidence rate for non-HPV-related sites has decreased across all stratified groups during this time.