Incidence of HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancers in the United States
In a study by Mahal et al published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers conducted a population-based assessment of the incidence and demographic burden of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the United States.
The researchers studied data from 12,017 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results HPV Status Database. Patients had been diagnosed between 2013 and 2014 with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of pharyngeal subsites, including the hypopharynx, nasopharynx, and “other pharynx.” Age-adjusted incidence rates per 100,000 persons by HPV status were calculated.
Study Findings
In the year studied, the U.S. incidence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma was 4.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.51–4.73) vs 1.82 (95% CI = 1.75–1.89) for HPV-negative cases per 100,000 persons. The incidence of HPV-positive non-oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was 0.62 (95% CI = 0.58–0.66) vs 1.38 (95% CI = 1.32–1.44) for HPV-negative disease. White race and male sex were factors associated with a higher incidence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. HPV-positive disease was associated with lower cancer-specific mortality than HPV-negative disease among patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma but not among patients with non-oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
The authors concluded, “The U.S. incidence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was 4.62 per 100,000 persons. Most cases occurred in white male patients younger than 65, where it represents the sixth most common incident non-skin cancer. The favorable prognosis associated with HPV appears to be limited to the oropharynx.”
Disclosures: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit cebp.aacrjournals.org.
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