Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lip and oral cavity cancer (LOCC) is one of the most common malignancies among the elderly, facing challenges such as insufficient early diagnosis, difficulties in late-stage treatment, and a propensity for metastasis and recurrence, which contribute to poor prognoses. However, there remains a lack of systematic analyses regarding the global, regional, and national burden of LOCC specifically within the elderly population. METHODS: This study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, including age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR), age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (ASDR). A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the burden of LOCC among the elderly across the globe, five social development index (SDI) regions, 21 GBD regions, and 204 countries, examining current status, trends, future projections, and attributable risk factors. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, the burden of LOCC among the elderly significantly increased, although the growth trend has slowed in recent years. By 2021, the ASIR for LOCC was 23.13 per 100,000, the ASPR was 72.19 per 100,000, the ASMR was 12.57 per 100,000, and the ASDR was 253.10 per 100,000 years. With increasing SDI, both ASIR and ASPR continued to rise, while ASMR and ASDR exhibited a gradual decline. The absolute and relative health inequalities between different countries have gradually diminished. The burden of disease increased with age for both males and females, with males experiencing a higher burden than females. Projections indicate that from 2022 to 2050, the ASR for LOCC will continue to rise. Major risk factors identified for LOCC include chewing tobacco, high alcohol consumption, and smoking. CONCLUSION: Since 1990, the burden of LOCC among the elderly has consistently increased, and this trend is expected to continue in the future, despite a slowdown in the rate of increase in recent years. Furthermore, the burden of this disease exhibits a degree of inequality based on age, gender, and region.