Global burden and international trends of laryngeal cancer incidence: A population-based study of recorded data and national estimates

Abstract

Laryngeal cancer shows considerable variation in global incidence, which has primarily been studied through national estimates. This study aims to analyse the global incidence of laryngeal cancer, comparing estimated and high-quality recorded data, and examine temporal trends to inform targeted prevention strategies. Estimated incidence rates for 2022 were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database for 185 countries. Recorded incidence data from population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) for the five-years period 2013–2017 were sourced from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5-XII). Temporal trends and the Estimated Annual Percent Change were assessed for 34 countries using the Global Cancer Observatory – Cancer Over Time database. The highest estimated age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) were observed in Cuba, Moldova, and Romania, particularly among males: 14.8, 12.2, and 10.3 per 100,000, respectively. Recorded data showed significant regional variability, with the highest ASIRs for males in Pskov, Russia (13.3 per 100,000) and the Azores, Portugal (11.8 per 100,000). Most countries exhibited a decline in laryngeal cancer rates among males, while trends among females remained largely stable. Our findings underscore the importance of PBCRs in identifying high-risk populations for developing laryngeal cancer. While national estimates are essential for understanding the global distribution of laryngeal cancer and other malignancies, they may overlook subnational variations. Expanding the coverage and quality of PBCRs is crucial for improving cancer surveillance and enhancing prevention and control efforts at national and global level.