Oropharyngeal cancer survivorship in Denmark, 1977-2012

Abstract

Objectives: Incidence rates for human papillomavirus positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-positive OPC) have significantly increased in numerous developed countries in recent decades. Fortunately, HPV-positive OPC has improved survival relative to HPV-negative OPC. Given these incidence trends and survival differences, we hypothesized that OPC survivorship has increased in affected populations over time.

Materials and methods: Poisson and Cox regression models were used to examine incidence and OPC survivorship trends in a population-based prospective registry, the Danish Cancer Registry.

Results: In Denmark, OPC incidence (p<0.001) and median survival (p<0.001) significantly increased from 1977 to 2012. Consequently, the number of 5-year OPC survivors in the Danish population increased from 72 in 1980 to 1311 in 2010.

Conclusions: The long-term sequelae of curative therapy in the growing number of OPC survivors will need to be evaluated to address their unique survivorship needs.

Keywords: HPV; Head and neck cancer; Oropharynx cancer; Survivorship; Tonsil cancer.