Incidence and mortality trends of head and neck cancer in Croatia in the period 1988–2008

Abstract

Conclusion: Head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence and mortality trends in men displayed a significant downward trend in Croatia during the study period. No significant changes of incidence and mortality trends were observed in women. Decreasing trends observed in men are similar to other European countries. Further decreases in HNC incidence and mortality could be achieved with more restrictive alcohol and tobacco control policies and adherence to national treatment guidelines. Objective: To describe and interpret trends in incidence and mortality of HNC in Croatia in the period 1988–2008. Methods: HNCs were defined as ICD-10 codes C00-C14, C32. Incidence data were obtained from the Croatian National Cancer Registry, while numbers of deaths were obtained from the WHO Mortality Databank. Joinpoint regression analysis of age-standardized rates (ASR, standard world population) and age-specific rates for 10-year age groups was used to estimate changes in trends of HNC incidence and mortality. Results: HNC incidence and mortality in men declined steadily during the study period (estimated annual percent change (EAPC) of –1.5% and –1.8%, respectively). The most prominent decreases of –5.7% annually for incidence and –9.3% for mortality were observed in the youngest age group, 30–39 years. A non-significant increase in incidence (EAPC 0.9%) and decrease in mortality (EAPC –1.3%) were observed in women.

Keywords::

• Cancer of head and neck
• epidemiology
• national treatment guidelines
• alcohol
• tobacco

Acknowledgments

We thank Koraljka Hat for the contribution to data collection. The work of Ariana Znaor was partly supported by the research grant from the Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, no. 005-1080315-0294.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.