Regional differences in incidence and mortality trends in cancers of the larynx, thyroid, oral cavity and pharynx in England and Scotland: 1975-2002

Context: There have been significant changes in the epidemiology of head and neck cancers (HNC) in the last three decades worldwide. Documenting these trends helps to facilitate cancer prevention measures and aids resource allocation. Objective: To analyse incidence and mortality trends in Head and Neck Cancers (HNC) in the UK and compare regional differences between England and Scotland. Design: Retrospective quantitative analysis of time trends of HNC cases in the UK recorded in the International Agency for Research into Cancer (IARC) CI5 database and WHO mortality database. Setting: Cancer databases with extraction of UK HNC incidence and mortality time trends. Patients: All patients with cancers of the larynx, thyroid, oral cavity and pharynx in the UK (1975-2002) recorded in the IARC and WHO databases. Main Outcome Measures: HNC incidence and mortality trends in the UK. Results: There has been an increase in incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer in the UK especially among males with higher rates in Scotland. However mortality has increased in Scotland and reduced in England. Thyroid cancer incidence has increased in the UK especially among females with higher rates in Scotland. Mortality has reduced in both regions. Laryngeal cancer among males has increased in incidence particularly in Scotland with a decline in incidence in England. Mortality has reduced significantly in England among males but increased in Scotland. Conclusions: In the UK, Scotland has higher incidence rates of HNC compared with England. Mortality has reduced in England from all the HNC sub-sites but has increased in Scotland for laryngeal, oral & pharynxgeal cancers. Although socioeconomic deprivation and its relation to higher alcohol and tobacco consumption have been highlighted as drivers, further studies are required.