Lip, Oral Cavity and Pharyngeal Cancer Burden in the European Union from 1990–2019 Using the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study

Background —The recent burden of lip and oral cavity, nasopharynx and other pharynx cancer (LOCP) has not been specifically investigated in Europe. Methods —In this descriptive epidemiological study, LOCP was categorised into lip and oral cavity cancer, nasopharynx cancer and other pharynx cancer, with European trends documented using the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD). Summary statistics included deaths, age-standardised incidence rates (ASIR), mortality rates, YLLs (years of life lost), YLDs (years of life lived with disability) and DALYS (disability-adjusted life years). Results —Lip and oral cavity cancer (LO) is the most dominant with the incidence decreasing from 6.2 new cases per 100,000 (95% UI: 6.1–6.4) in 1990 to 5.3 new cases per 100,000 (95% UI: 4.6–6.1). However, nasopharynx cancer (NP) and other pharynx cancer (OP) increased from 1 and 2.2 new cases per 100,000 in 1990 to 1.1 and 3.3 new cases per 100,000 in 2019, respectively. It was noted that LOCP YLLs is much higher than YLDs. In Europe, eastern European countries, specifically Hungary, have the highest burden of LOCP. When LOCP attributable to tobacco in Ireland was compared with the EU, the percentage decrease in OP DALYs attributable to tobacco is below the EU average, whereas the percentage decrease in LO attributable to tobacco in Ireland was above the EU average. Conclusions —There has been a significant increase in ASIR in categories other pharynx and nasopharynx cancer since 1990, with significant geographic variations.