Trends of Human Papillomavirus-Related Head and Neck Cancers in Korea: National Cancer Registry Data

Objectives/HypothesisThe incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck cancers (HNCs) is increasing sharply worldwide, while their HPV-negative counterparts are showing a decreased frequency. However, epidemiologic data related to these changes are sparse in Korea, which is rapidly adopting more westernized lifestyles. Study DesignData from the Korea Central Cancer Registry, a nationwide population-based cancer registry, from 1999 to 2009 were retrieved. MethodsAge-standardized rates (ASRs), their annual percent changes (APC) and male-to-female incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were analyzed and compared between HPV-related and HPV-unrelated primary sites. ResultsHPV-related sites (oropharynx) had increased significantly over the period 1999 to 2009 (APC=2.35%, P=0.017), particularly in young men (30-59 years, APC=2.65%, P=0.031), whereas HPV-unrelated sites such as larynx and hypopharynx decreased markedly in both sexes. Interestingly, tongue cancer was found to have increased gradually (APC=2.35%, P=0.003) in both sexes. The male-to-female IRRs and the median age of occurrence remained stable. ConclusionsAlthough the cultural and ethnic background differs from the United States, cancers of HPV-related sites are increasing in Korea, whereas cancers of HPV-unrelated sites are decreasing, which is similar to the trends observed in the United States. Greater public awareness in Korea of HPV-related HNCs is therefore warranted.