Incidence, Risk Factors, and Epidemiological Trends of Head and Neck Cancer: A Global Analysis

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a type of common cancer accounting for approximately 4.7% of all incident cancer cases in 2022. This study aims to investigate the trend of HNC on global distribution. We collected related data from the Global Cancer Observatory and Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus database, risk factor data at the country level, HDI, and GDP. Multivariable linear regression was conducted to assess HNC and risk factors. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to calculate Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC). The global age-standardized rate of HNC incidence was 9.8 in 2022. At the sub-region level, Melanesia (18.5), South Central Asia (16.2), and Eastern Europe (12.7) had the highest incidence of HNC. At the country level, Bangladesh (23.7) and Papua New Guinea (22.2) had the highest incidence. A higher HNC incidence ratio was associated with higher levels of smoking, alcohol drinking, unhealthy dietary behavior, diabetes, and lipid disorders. There was a rising trend in HNC for the female population, which may be attributed to the increase in female smoking. Mixed trends were observed in the male population, with decreasing trends observed in some high-HDI countries where smoking is better controlled. Future studies are recommended to investigate the epidemiological changes.