Epidemiology of Head and Neck Cancers in Northern Iran: A 10-Year Trend Study From Golestan Province

Golestan province, in Northern Iran, is a high-risk area for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC is also the most common histological type of cancers of the head and neck region including cancers of oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. We aimed to present the incidence rate of head and neck SCC (HNSCC) in Golestan province during 2004 and 2013. Data on HNSCC were obtained from Golestan population-based cancer registry (GPCR). Quality control and data analysis were performed using CanReg software. Age standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were calculated using the world standard population. The ASRs were presented per 100000 person-years for different genders, residence places and years. During the 10-year period from 2004–2013, 434 cases of HNSCC were registered. 327 (75.3%) of these cases were male, 51.2% (222 cases) lived in urban areas and 351 (80.9%) of the total HNSCCs occurred in the larynx. Overall, the ASR of HNSCCs in Golestan province was 4.8. The ASR of HNSCCs was more than two-fold higher in male (6.6) than female (3.0). Our results showed an increasing trend in ASR of larynx cancer during the study period both in male and female. We found relatively high rates of larynx cancer in Golestan province. Our results also showed higher rates of HNSCC in males and urban population. Considering common risk factors between HNSCCs and esophageal cancer, further studies are needed to clarify different aspects of HNSCCs (including epidemiology and risk factors) in this high-risk population.