Assessing the changing oral and pharyngeal cancer demographic in the United States

Abstract

In 2015, oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) will be diagnosed in an estimated 45,780 people in the United States (71.3 % male - accounting for 4 % of all cancer diagnoses in men) and 8650 deaths (69.4 % male) will be attributed to this disease. While the 5-year survival rate has slowly improved over the last several decades, mirroring an overall decline in tobacco use, the incidence has increased largely due to a rise in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oral and pharyngeal cancers. These primary risk factors (i.e., tobacco use and HPV infection), along with alcohol consumption, dietary patterns, immunosuppression, and genetic predisposition, are introduced relative to their role in the development of OPC. Concepts for the detection (clinical tools and appearance of precancerous lesions) and prevention (behavioral modification and HPV vaccination) of OPC are also presented.