The increase in incidence of cancer of the tongue in the Nordic countries continues into the twenty-first century

Abstract

Conclusion: This study shows a persistent trend of an increase in the incidence of carcinoma of the tongue into the twenty-first century for both sexes and all age groups except for young males.

Objectives: During the last decades increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue in young adults has been reported. We previously showed an increased incidence in SCC of the tongue in Scandinavia in 1960-1994, most pronounced in patients aged 20-39 years. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the trend of increased incidence of tongue cancer continued into the twenty-first century in a population-based study in the Nordic countries.

Methods: Data for all reported SCCs of the tongue and base of tongue in patients aged 20-79 years during 1960-2008 were extracted from the NORDCAN registry, based on the National Cancer registries in the Nordic countries. Data from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland were analyzed. The age groups 20-39, 40-64, and 65-79 years were studied separately as well as male and female figures.

Results: In all, 12 280 cases were reported, of which 673 were diagnosed in patients aged 20-39 years. The trend of an increase persisted after 1994 in both sexes and all three age groups except in young males.