Global burden of head and neck cancers from 1990 to 2019

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) exerts a significant healthcare burden worldwide. Insufficient data impedes a comprehensive understanding of its global impact. Through analysis of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database, our secondary investigation unveiled a surging global incidence of HNC, yet a decline in associated mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) owing to enhanced prognosis. Particularly noteworthy is the higher incidence of escalation among females compared to males. Effective resource allocation, meticulous control of risk factors, and tailored interventions are imperative to curtail mortality rates among young individuals afflicted with HNC in underprivileged regions, as well as in elderly individuals grappling with thyroid cancer.

Keywords: Biological sciences; Cancer.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1

Age-standardized disease burden and estimated annual percentage change of head and neck cancer across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 (A) ASIR of head and neck cancer across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. (B) EAPC in ASIR of head and neck cancer across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. (C) ASDR of head and neck cancer across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. (D) EAPC in ASDR of head and neck cancer across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. (E) Age-standardized DALYs of head and neck cancer across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. (F) EAPC in Age-standardized DALYs of head and neck cancer across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. ASIR, age-standardized incidence rate; ASDR, age-standardized death rate; DALYs, disability-adjusted life years; EAPC, estimated annual percentage change.

Figure 2

Trends in the disease burden of head and neck cancer from 1990 to 2019 by different SDI level regions (A) Trends in incidence of head and neck cancer from 1990 to 2019 by different SDI level regions. (B) Trends in deaths of head and neck cancer from 1990 to 2019 by different SDI level regions. (C) Trends in DALYs of head and neck cancer from 1990 to 2019 by different SDI level regions. (D) Trends in ASIR of head and neck cancer from 1990 to 2019 by different SDI level regions. (E) Trends in ASDR of head and neck cancer from 1990 to 2019 by different SDI level regions. (F) Trends in age-standardized DALYs of head and neck cancer from 1990 to 2019 by different SDI level regions. ASIR, age-standardized incidence rate; ASDR, age-standardized death rate; DALYs, disability-adjusted life years; SDI, socio-demographic index.

Figure 3

Trends in disease burden of head and neck cancer across Global and 21 GBD regions by SDI from 1990 to 2019 (A) Trends in ASIR of head and neck cancer across Global and 21 GBD regions by SDI from 1990 to 2019. (B) Trends in ASDR of head and neck cancer across Global and 21 GBD regions by SDI from 1990 to 2019. (C) Trends in age-standardized DALYs of head and neck cancer across Global and 21 GBD regions by SDI from 1990 to 2019. ASIR, age-standardized incidence rate; ASDR, age-standardized death rate; DALYs, disability-adjusted life years; SDI, socio-demographic index.

Figure 4

Trends in disease burden of head and neck cancer across SDI level regions by gender from 1990 to 2019 (A) The trends in incidence of head and neck cancer across SDI level regions by gender from 1990 to 2019. (B) The trends in deaths of head and neck cancer across SDI level regions by gender from 1990 to 2019. (C) The trends in DALYs of head and neck cancer across SDI level regions by gender from 1990 to 2019. (D) The trends in ASIR of head and neck cancer across SDI level regions by gender from 1990 to 2019. (E) The trends in ASDR of head and neck cancer across SDI level regions by gender from 1990 to 2019. (F) The trends in age-standardized DALYs of head and neck cancer across SDI level regions by gender from 1990 to 2019. ASIR, age-standardized incidence rate; ASDR, age-standardized death rate; DALYs, disability-adjusted life years; SDI, socio-demographic index.

Figure 5

Trends in disease burden of head and neck cancer across different age groups (5-year intervals) by gender in 2019 (A) Trends in incidence and ASIR of head and neck cancer across different age groups (5-year intervals) by gender in 2019. (B) Trends in deaths and ASDR of head and neck cancer across different age groups (5-year intervals) by gender in 2019. (C) Trends in DALYs and age-standardized DALYs of head and neck cancer across different age groups (5-year intervals) by gender in 2019. ASIR, age-standardized incidence rate; ASDR, age-standardized death rate; DALYs, disability-adjusted life years. Data are represented as mean ± SEM.

Figure 6

Trends in disease burden of head and neck cancer subtypes from 1990 to 2019 (A) Trends in incidence and ASIR of head and neck cancer across different age groups (5-year intervals) by gender in 2019. (B) Trends in deaths and ASDR of head and neck cancer across different age groups (5-year intervals) by gender in 2019. (C) Trends in DALYs and age-standardized DALYs of head and neck cancer across different age groups (5-year intervals) by gender in 2019. ASIR, age-standardized incidence rate; ASDR, age-standardized death rate; DALYs, disability-adjusted life years.