Abstract
The incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC) has significantly increased over the past two decades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study analyzed trends in HNC incidence and mortality using data from the Polish Cancer Register (1999-2021) across three age cohorts (60-69, 70-79, and 80+) and projected trends through to 2035. Statistical analyses included regression, correlation, and parallelism tests, with significance levels of α = 0.05 and Bonferroni correction applied (αc ≈ 0.017). RESULTS: In the 60-69 cohort, incidence rates increased faster than mortality rates (p < 0.001), especially for oral and oropharyngeal cancers in women (p < 0.001). For the 70-79 cohort, mortality rates rose slower than incidence (p < 0.05), most notably for salivary gland cancers across genders and oral cavity cancers in women. In the 80+ group, both incidence and mortality increased (p < 0.05), but mortality rates rose faster for laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and oral cancers in men and the general population (p < 0.017). The largest increases were observed in oral cancer among women, with a marked rise across all age groups (p < 0.001). Gender-specific patterns highlighted stable or modestly rising trends in males but a notable increase in females, particularly in the 80+ group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore that older patients are not a homogeneous group in terms of HNC incidence and survival. This study emphasizes age- and gender-specific strategies for prevention and management. Expanding HPV vaccination and improving early detection are crucial, particularly for high-risk groups like older women and those with HPV-related cancers. Tailored approaches could mitigate rising trends and improve survival outcomes.