Trends in head and neck cancer incidence in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between 1996 and 2015

Abstract

Introduction

This study provides an analysis of head and neck cancer (HNC) cases over a 20-year period in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It aims to shed light on HNC's characteristics and trends in this highly populated urban region.

Methods

The analysis encompasses 8974 HNC cases, emphasising incidence rates, gender distribution, and the prevalence of different subtypes, including oral cavity, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal/pharyngeal cancers. Ho Chi Minh City was chosen due to its extensive cancer reporting systems and its role as a major urban healthcare centre attracting a wide range of patients.

Results

The study reveals an increasing incidence of HNC in Ho Chi Minh City, with a notable predominance of male patients (73 %). The breakdown of HNC cases shows oral cavity cancer at 34 %, nasopharyngeal at 33 %, oropharyngeal at 12 %, and laryngeal/pharyngeal at 21 %. Compared to global averages, Vietnamese patients are diagnosed at an earlier age, with a noticeable trend of decreasing mean age of diagnosis over the study period.

Conclusion

This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the HNC landscape in Ho Chi Minh City, revealing a slightly lower overall incidence but an earlier age of diagnosis compared to global trends. These findings suggest the need for region-specific public health initiatives and further research to clarify the epidemiological features of HNC in Vietnam.