Cancer trends No. 24. Cancers of the head and neck

October 2014

Table 1. Annual average number, percentage composition and subtype of head and neck cancer, 2010-2012

Cancer Trends

incident cases: annual average rate (cases per 100,000 per year) % all invasive cancers (excl. skin) Sub sites C01-06: mouth C09-14: pharynx C32: larynx C30-31: nasal cavity/middle ear/sinus C07-08: salivary gland

Cancers of the head and neck Incident case numbers

females 161 6.9 1.7%

males 413 19.2 3.9%

total 574 12.9 2.9%

74(46%) 36(22%) 21(13%) 11(7%) 19(12%)

128(31%) 111(27%) 141(34%) 15(4%) 18(4%)

202(35%) 147(26%) 162(28%) 26(5%) 37(6%)

Cancers of the head and neck (H&N) are a heterogeneous group, consisting of cancers of the mouth (base of tongue, other tongue, gum,

Age profile

floor of mouth, palate and other mouth; ICD 10 codes C01–C06); salivary glands (C07–C08); pharynx (tonsil, oropharynx, nasopharynx,

Approximately 57% of males and females were under 65 years when

pyriform fossa, hypopharynx, other mouth/pharynx; C09-C14) nasal

diagnosed (Figure 2). The proportion of women in the 15-44 year age

cavity/middle ear and sinuses (C30–C31) and larynx (C32). Cancer of

range was double that of males (12% vs 6%).

the lip and thyroid are not included in ‘head and neck cancer’ in this Figure 2. Age at diagnosis: head and neck cancer 2010–2012

report.

females

Figure 1. Anatomical site of cancer by sex, average number of cases per year, 2010-2012

detailed site

major site groups

150 mouth pharynx larynx nasal middle ear sinus salivary gland

50 74 36 21 11 19

50

150

65-74 21%

128 111 141

55-64 27%

males 75+ 16%

15-44 12%

65-74 27%

45-54 18%