Global Epidemiology and Socioeconomic Correlates of Salivary Gland Cancer From 2020 to 2040.

Objectives: To report the epidemiology and socioeconomic correlates of salivary gland cancers (SGCs) at global, regional and national levels by age, sex and country.

Methods: Data on the incidence and mortality of SGC for the year 2020 were extracted from the Global Cancer Observatory. The relationships between incidence and mortality rates with the human development index (HDI) and the ratio of current healthcare expenditure to gross domestic product were investigated using bivariate correlation tests. Also, projections for new cancer cases or mortalities in a specific nation or region between 2025 and 2040 were estimated by multiplying age-specific incidence or mortality rates, with the anticipated population for the years 2025-2040.

Results: In 2020, the global crude incidence and mortality rates of SGC were 0.69 and 0.29, respectively. Among the World Health Organization regions, the Americas and Africa had the highest SGC age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR), respectively. By HDI classification, the very high HDI group had the highest SGC ASIR at 0.69, whereas the low HDI group had the highest SGC ASMR at 0.49. Among different age groups, those aged 70+ had the highest SGC incidence and mortality crude rates. Globally, males had higher SGC incidence and mortality crude rates than females. A strong negative correlation was found between HDI and SGC ASMR and the mortality-to-incidence ratio (p < 0.001). By 2040, the global incidence and mortality numbers of SGC are projected to increase by 50% and 60%, respectively.

Conclusions: These findings provide crucial insight into the global distribution and disparities in SGC care quality. Furthermore, this report has the potential to aid in the planning of SGC control initiatives.